A Guide to the Coins of Turkey
Posted by: Ian • 15 Nov 2025
We've all been there. You get back from a brilliant trip to Turkey, unpack your bags, and find a handful of unfamiliar coins jingling in a pocket or at the bottom of your bag. It’s easy to just pop them in a drawer and forget about them, but those leftover coins of Turkey are more than just souvenirs. They're a direct link to the country's fascinating history and, more importantly, they have a real value waiting to be unlocked.
This guide provides practical tips and helpful advice on how to exchange foreign coins and turn that forgotten holiday money from a dusty keepsake into cash in your pocket.
Your Guide to Turkish Coins Old and New
Just returned from Istanbul or a sunny week in Antalya, only to discover a collection of Turkish Lira coins weighing you down? You are definitely not alone. It's one of the most common things travellers experience, but most people are completely stumped about what to do with their leftover foreign currency. This is your complete resource for getting to grips with Turkish coins.
We're going to take a journey through the world of Turkish money, from the modern Lira you've just brought home to older, obsolete currency you might have inherited. The goal is to give you real-world insights, so you have the confidence to identify your coins and understand exactly how to convert foreign coins and banknotes into cash, hassle-free.
A Fast, Easy, and Hassle-Free Way to Exchange Your Foreign Coins
We provide a fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed service for your leftover foreign currency. And the best part? There is absolutely no need to sort your coins. Just gather up all your foreign coins and notes, and let us handle the rest. It's that simple.
Our process is built on trust and credibility. We are trusted by major brands, including well-known charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces, to manage their foreign currency needs efficiently and professionally.
Whether you're looking to exchange foreign coins for cash or donate foreign coins to charity, our service takes all the fuss out of it. We'll explore:
- Modern Coins: How to identify the current Turkish Lira and Kuruş coins in circulation.
- Historical Pieces: Tips for recognising older Ottoman coins and their unique designs.
- Valuation: Practical advice on understanding the difference between a coin's face value and its value to a collector.
- Conversion: A straightforward, step-by-step guide to turning your coins into pounds.
Let’s get started. We'll dive into the coins of Turkey and show you how to effortlessly get value from them. For a no-nonsense solution to your leftover holiday money, visit our homepage to get started today.
Identifying Modern Turkish Lira Coins
Back from a trip to Turkey? Chances are your pockets, purse, or that 'holiday bits' drawer are now jingling with a handful of unfamiliar coins. At first glance, they can all look a bit similar, but telling modern Turkish Lira coins apart is actually much easier than you might think.
The key lies in the current series of coins, which was introduced back in 2009. The designers created a unified look, which is a massive help for identification.
Every single coin currently in circulation features a portrait of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the celebrated founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey. Seeing his image is your first and best clue that you're holding a modern coin. From the tiny 1 Kuruş piece to the chunky 1 Lira, his portrait is the common thread.
A Breakdown of Modern Turkish Coins
So, let's get down to the specifics of what you're likely to find. The Turkish Lira (TRY) is divided into 100 Kuruş (kr), much like our pound is split into 100 pence.
The coins you'll see in circulation today are the 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 Kuruş, along with the 1 Lira coin.
Sorting through your leftover travel money is the first step to figuring out what it's worth. While getting to know the coins is useful, don't forget that our service is designed to be completely hassle-free. There's absolutely no need to sort your coins before sending them to us.
Modern Turkish Lira Coins At a Glance
To make things even easier, here's a quick reference table. It's a simple guide to help you quickly identify the most common Turkish coins you've brought home.
| Denomination | Value (TRY) | Diameter (mm) | Key Design Feature | Composition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Kuruş | 0.01 | 16.5 | Smallest, brass-coloured | Brass |
| 5 Kuruş | 0.05 | 17.5 | Small, copper-coloured | Copper, Nickel, Zinc |
| 10 Kuruş | 0.10 | 18.5 | Copper-coloured | Copper, Nickel, Zinc |
| 25 Kuruş | 0.25 | 20.5 | Silver-coloured | Copper, Nickel, Zinc |
| 50 Kuruş | 0.50 | 23.85 | Bimetallic (gold ring, silver centre) | Copper, Nickel, Zinc |
| 1 Lira | 1.00 | 26.15 | Bimetallic (silver ring, gold centre) | Copper, Nickel, Zinc |
As you can see, the 50 Kuruş and 1 Lira coins are bimetallic but have their colours flipped, which is a neat way to tell them apart instantly. You can find out more about the modern 1 Turkish Lira coin in our detailed guide.
From Identification to Exchange
Okay, so now you know what you’ve got. What's next? Most travellers return with a bunch of 50 Kuruş and 1 Lira pieces, as they're the most common coins given as change. You might be tempted to take them to a bank or a local bureau de change, but you’ll quickly find that almost nobody accepts foreign coins. You're left stuck.
This is exactly where we come in. We offer a fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed way to convert foreign coins and banknotes into cash you can actually spend.
We are the trusted currency exchange partner for major UK brands, including national charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces. They rely on our credibility and efficiency, and that same trust is the foundation of our service to you.
Instead of letting that leftover currency collect dust, you can turn it into something useful. The process couldn't be simpler. Just gather up all your coins and notes—sorted or unsorted—and pop them in the post to us. We handle everything else, making sure you get paid without any fuss or hidden charges.
Discovering Historical Ottoman Coins
Modern Turkish coins are pretty straightforward, but every now and then, you might stumble across something much older and far more ornate. Maybe you’ve inherited a small collection or found a mysterious coin tucked away in an old tin. If it looks unfamiliar, you could be holding one of the historical coins of Turkey from the time of the vast Ottoman Empire, which lasted for over 600 years.
Unlike the consistent portraits of Atatürk on modern currency, Ottoman coins are a window into a completely different world. They’re often decorated with intricate calligraphy instead of images, a beautiful reflection of Islamic artistic traditions. Getting to know these historical pieces adds a fascinating new chapter to the story of Turkish money.
To put it in perspective, the infographic below shows just how simple the hierarchy of modern Turkish currency is. This is a world away from the complex history of older coins.
As you can see, all modern coins follow a single, easy-to-identify design standard. Historical coins? They come from a much more varied and complex past.
The Signature of a Sultan
One of the most captivating features you’ll find on an Ottoman coin is the tughra. This was the official calligraphic monogram, seal, or signature of a sultan. Think of it as a royal crest, but far more elaborate and deeply personal.
Each sultan had their own unique tughra, which was used on all official documents and—most importantly for us—stamped onto the coins minted during their reign. Spotting a tughra is your biggest clue that you're holding a genuine piece of Ottoman history. Its intricate lines often weave together the sultan's name with titles and blessings, making it a true work of art in miniature.
Understanding Kuruş and Precious Metals
The word kuruş isn’t just a modern coin; it has deep historical roots. The Ottoman lira was actually introduced in 1844, replacing the kuruş as the main unit of currency. Even then, the kuruş was kept on as a 1/100 subdivision, much like it is today. Before this change, the kuruş was a large silver coin, and its value and size changed quite a bit over the centuries.
Ottoman coins were minted from various precious metals, which tied their value directly to what they were made of. You'll find coins made from:
- Gold (like the Altın or Lira)
- Silver (such as the Akçe or Kuruş)
- Copper (like the Mangır or Para)
The use of these metals makes them interesting not just to historians but to modern collectors as well.
The connection between Ottoman coins and the UK is stronger than many people realise. Thanks to centuries of trade, these coins have long held significant historical and numismatic importance right here in Britain.
British collectors often seek out these pieces for their tangible link to a powerful empire and its complex relationship with Europe. In 1913, it was estimated that around 32 million gold liras and a huge volume of silver coins were circulating within Ottoman territories. A good number of these found their way into European markets, including the UK. You can discover more about the circulation of these historical coins from the Southeastern Europe Monetary History Network.
From History to Hassle-Free Exchange
Finding an old Ottoman coin is an exciting discovery. However, most of the leftover currency people have from travels or inheritances will be modern coins and banknotes. While assessing historical pieces requires an expert eye, exchanging your modern leftover currency is something we've made incredibly simple.
Our service is fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed. You don't need to sort through anything or try to tell different eras apart. Just gather up all your leftover foreign currency—old and new, from Turkey or anywhere else—and send it to us.
We’re trusted by major brands, including national charities, supermarkets, airports, and police forces, who all rely on our professional and credible service. We take the hassle out of the process so you can convert foreign coins and banknotes into cash with complete peace of mind. End your search and start the process by visiting our homepage today.
How to Determine the Value of Your Coins
So, you've identified your Turkish coins. The next big question is, what are they actually worth? The answer really depends on what you're holding. Your leftover holiday change is valued in a completely different way to a rare Ottoman antique, and it's vital to know the difference.
For most modern coins of Turkey that you’d bring back from a trip, their value is simply their face value—the amount stamped on the coin, which can be exchanged for pounds sterling. For older, historical coins, however, their worth is tied to their collector value, a figure based on rarity, condition, and historical importance.
It's all about setting realistic expectations. The vast majority of leftover foreign currency is worth its face value, plain and simple. But for those rarer finds, knowing what to look for can turn into a fascinating journey of discovery.
Face Value: The Worth of Modern Currency
For any modern Turkish Lira and Kuruş coins dated from 2009 onwards, their value is whatever the current exchange rate says it is. This is their face value. Think of it this way: the 1 Lira coin in your hand is worth exactly that—one lira.
This is where our service makes things incredibly simple. You don't need to get bogged down with calculating exchange rates or worry about high-street banks refusing to take your coins.
We provide a fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed way to convert foreign coins and banknotes into cash. There’s no need to sort your coins; just send us all your leftover currency, and we'll give you a fair value based on the going rate.
Our process takes all the guesswork out of it. We're a trusted partner for major UK organisations like charities, airports, supermarkets, and even police forces, who all rely on our professional and hassle-free service to handle their foreign currency.
Collector Value: Unlocking the Worth of Historical Coins
Figuring out the value of a historical coin, like an Ottoman piece, is more like appraising an antique than cashing in holiday money. Its worth isn't tied to an exchange rate but to what a collector is willing to pay. This is where understanding the differences between fiat and commodity money becomes really useful, as it explains the core principles of how historical and modern currencies get their value.
Several key factors come into play when determining a historical coin's collector value:
- Condition: This is everything. A coin in pristine, uncirculated condition will always fetch a much higher price than one that's worn, scratched, or damaged.
- Rarity: How many were ever made? Coins from a small mint run or from a short-reigning sultan are naturally more valuable.
- Historical Significance: Does the coin mark a specific event or feature a particularly famous sultan? A good story adds to its appeal and price.
- Metal Content: Ottoman coins were often made of gold or silver, which gives them a built-in value based purely on the weight of the precious metal.
A Practical Guide to Assessing Your Coins
If you think you might have a coin with some collector potential, here are a few practical tips for a quick look.
- Handle with Care: Always hold a potentially valuable coin by its edges. Fingerprints on the surface can cause damage over time and reduce its value.
- Do Not Clean It: This is the golden rule. Never, ever try to clean a historical coin. You could strip away its patina—the natural layer of toning that builds up over centuries—and slash its value in an instant.
- Use Magnification: A simple magnifying glass can help you spot tiny details like dates, mint marks, or the intricate elements of a tughra that are invisible to the naked eye.
- Compare Online: Have a look for similar coins on numismatic websites or auction archives. This can give you a rough ballpark of its potential worth, but always remember that condition is king.
While doing your own appraisal is a great bit of fun, the easiest and most reliable way to get value from your currency is to focus on what's exchangeable. For all your modern leftover foreign currency, our service is the perfect solution. We take all the stress out of the process, ensuring you get a fair and honest return for every single coin you send our way.
How to Exchange Your Turkish Coins and Notes
So, you’ve sorted through your leftover change and found your coins of Turkey. Great! Now for the best part: turning that pile of metal and paper back into cash you can actually use. That’s where we come in, with a simple, straightforward exchange service designed to be completely hassle-free from start to finish.
Forget the frustration of trying to cash in foreign coins at a bank or bureau de change; most won't even look at them. We’ve built our entire process around a core promise: it has to be fast, easy, and 100% guaranteed. The biggest perk? You have no need to sort anything. Just bundle up all your leftover foreign currency, and we do all the hard work for you.
A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
We firmly believe that to exchange foreign coins and notes shouldn't feel like a chore. Our system is designed to get you from a drawer full of old currency to a payment in your account in just a few easy steps.
- Fill Out Our Online Form: First things first, head to our website and complete our free, no-obligation exchange form. This gives us the details we need to get everything started.
- Pack Your Currency Securely: Gather up all your coins and notes. It doesn’t matter if they're from Turkey, Spain, or the USA, or if they're old and obsolete. Just pop them into a padded envelope or a sturdy box.
- Post It to Us: Send your package to our secure processing centre. For that extra peace of mind, we always recommend using a tracked postal service.
Once your package arrives, our expert team takes over. We meticulously sort, count, and value every single item, making sure you get a fair and accurate price for everything you've sent our way.
Trust and Credibility You Can Count On
When you send your money off to be exchanged, you need to know it's in safe hands. Trust is the absolute foundation of our service, and we've built our reputation on being professional and reliable. In fact, we’re the chosen currency exchange partner for some of the UK’s most recognisable organisations.
Our service is trusted by major UK brands, including national charities, well-known supermarkets, airports, and even police forces. They rely on our efficiency and credibility to handle their foreign currency, and we offer that exact same standard of service to you.
This extensive network of professional partners is a real testament to the secure and dependable service we provide every single day. We handle everything with the utmost care, ensuring a smooth process from the moment your currency leaves you to the moment you receive payment.
Why You Don't Need to Sort Your Coins
Let's be honest, one of the biggest things that puts people off when they want to exchange foreign coins is the tedious task of sorting them. Separating different currencies, denominations, and old-versus-new coins can feel like an overwhelming job.
So, we got rid of it.
Our hassle-free approach means you can simply put all your coins and notes together in one bag. Have a random mix of Turkish Lira, old Spanish Pesetas, and pre-decimal British shillings? No problem at all. We accept them all. Our specialists handle the identification and valuation, which saves you a huge amount of time and effort.
This commitment to simplicity is what really sets our service apart. We make it easy for anyone to finally get value from that jar of forgotten change. Whether you're looking to cash in on leftover holiday money or want to donate foreign coins to charity, our process removes all the barriers.
For more specific information, you can find further details about exchanging coins from Turkey on our dedicated page. The final step—choosing how you get paid—is just as simple and we’ll cover that next.
Choosing Your Payment or Donating to Charity
Once our experts have sorted and valued your collection of Turkish coins and any other foreign currency, the final step is just as straightforward. We know flexibility is important, so we’ve made sure our payment options are simple and suit everyone. The whole process is designed to be quick and easy, getting you your money without any hassle or delay.
After our team has processed your currency, getting paid is simple. Just pick the method that works best for you, and we'll handle the rest, ensuring a smooth and secure transaction from start to finish.
Your Payment Options
We take pride in our prompt and reliable payment service. You can choose from the following options to receive the cash value of your currency:
- Direct Bank Transfer: A fast and secure way to get the funds sent straight to your UK bank account.
- Cheque: If you prefer a more traditional route, we can post a cheque directly to your address.
- PayPal: For a quick digital payment, we can send the money right to your PayPal account.
Our service is 100% guaranteed, meaning the value we quote is exactly the value you get. No hidden fees, no deductions.
A Meaningful Way to Give Back
What if that forgotten holiday money could do more than just sit in a drawer? We offer a powerful alternative to cashing in: you can choose to donate foreign coins to charity. This option transforms your leftover currency into a meaningful contribution to a good cause, making a real difference.
We work with many UK charities, making it easy to support a cause you're passionate about. It’s one of the reasons we’re a trusted partner for major organisations who rely on our credible and ethical service. If you'd like to learn more, our guide explains how you can donate your foreign coins to charity.
Donating your currency is a simple yet impactful way to support vital work across the country. It’s a feel-good choice that turns otherwise unused money into a force for good.
If you are considering this option, especially with valuable coins of Turkey, you might want to look at a complete guide to what donations are tax deductible to understand any potential tax benefits.
Whether you choose to cash in or donate, we make the final step effortless.
Any Lingering Questions?
We get it. Sending your currency off to be exchanged can bring up a few questions. Below, we've answered some of the most common ones we hear about exchanging the coins of Turkey and using our service.
Do I Have to Sort My Turkish Coins Before Sending Them?
Absolutely not. The whole point of our service is to make your life easier. Just pop all your leftover currency—whether it's Turkish Lira, old Spanish Pesetas, or US Dollars—into a package and send it our way. We do all the heavy lifting, sorting and counting every last coin for you. There is no need to sort coins at all.
What if Some of My Coins Are Really Old or Damaged?
Don't worry about it. We see all sorts, from bent coins to ones that have been out of circulation for decades. Our specialists assess every single piece you send us, determining its value based on its metal content or any remaining exchangeability. You can be confident sending everything in one go when you convert foreign coins and banknotes with us.
How Can I Be Sure My Coins Are Safe and I'll Get Paid?
Trust is everything to us, and we've built our reputation on it. We're the trusted currency partner for major UK brands, including national charities, supermarkets, airports, and even police forces. For your own peace of mind, we always suggest using a tracked postal service. As soon as your package arrives, we get to work processing it, and we offer secure payment options like a direct bank transfer or PayPal. Our service is 100% guaranteed.
How Long Does It All Take?
We pride ourselves on a speedy turnaround. The moment your leftover foreign currency lands on our desk, our team starts sorting and valuing it. We process your payment right after the assessment is done, so you get your cash without any frustrating delays. It's this commitment to a quick, easy process that has made us a go-to for individuals and big organisations alike.
Ready to turn that forgotten pile of coins into actual cash? Our fast, easy, and hassle-free service is trusted by major UK brands and is 100% guaranteed. There's no need to sort your leftover holiday money – just send it all to us. Get started today by visiting our homepage.