1.000 Türk Lirası TUR Banknote (Late Old Lira) 1970

1.000 Türk Lirası Turkish Lira (Issued 1970)

The Türkiye Cumhuriyet Merkez Bankası — the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey — was established in 1930 as the sole authority responsible for issuing currency and managing monetary policy across the country. By 1970, the bank had developed a sophisticated programme of banknote production that balanced modern security printing with distinctly Turkish artistic traditions. This 1,000 Türk Lirası note, authorised under the law dated 14 January 1970, represents one of the higher denominations of the Late Old Lira series, reflecting the economic conditions of the period. The institution’s full name, rendered in Latin script as “Türkiye Cumhuriyet Merkez Bankası,” appears prominently on both faces of the note, affirming its official status.

On the front, the dominant feature is a finely engraved portrait of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey, positioned to the right of centre and rendered in a detailed intaglio style that captures the strong line of his jaw, his close-cropped hair, and his composed, forward-facing expression. He is depicted wearing a dark suit with a white collar, and the engraving achieves considerable tonal depth through fine cross-hatched linework. The background to the portrait is composed of intricate guilloché patterning in pale blue and lilac tones, giving the right-hand field a textured, almost three-dimensional quality. To the left of centre, the denomination is stated in two forms: the word “BIN” appears in bold uppercase lettering above the numeral “1000,” with the currency name “TÜRK LİRASI” set below in a clear serif typeface. A stylised floral and geometric vignette occupies the central left portion of the note, featuring tulip-like motifs and an ornate spade-shaped cartouche rendered in blue and pink tones — design elements drawn from Ottoman decorative traditions. The serial number F86 916791 appears twice, once in the upper left field in blue ink and once along the lower centre edge. The issuing authority’s name, “TÜRKİYE CUMHURİYET MERKEZ BANKASI,” is printed in bold uppercase across the top of the note. Below the central text, a line of smaller Latin script states the date and legal authority for the note’s issue, reading “14 OCAK 1970 TARİH VE 1211 SAYILI KANUNA GÖRE ÇIKARILMIŞTIR,” flanked by the signatures of the Başkan (Governor) and Başkan Yardımcısı (Deputy Governor), each rendered in cursive ink. The lower left and lower right corners both carry the large numeral “1000” in bold dark ink, framed by rosette and scroll ornamentation. The overall colour palette of the front combines deep navy blue, pale lilac, soft rose pink, and cream, printed on a crisp white paper stock. Along the lower edge, small text identifies the printing authority as the Türkiye Cumhuriyet Merkez Bankası printing works in Ankara.

The reverse is dominated by a large central engraved vignette depicting the Bosphorus strait viewed from an elevated vantage point, with the Rumeli Hisarı — the medieval Ottoman fortress — visible in the foreground, its round towers and crenellated walls rendered in careful intaglio detail. A suspension bridge, identifiable as the Bosphorus Bridge (later named the 15 July Martyrs Bridge), stretches across the water in the middle distance, its cables and towers depicted with fine linework against a pale sky. A single vessel is visible on the water beneath the bridge, and the far shoreline of Istanbul is suggested through softly engraved tonal shading. The engraved scene is executed predominantly in steel grey and soft purple-grey tones, giving it a photographic quality. Across the top of the reverse, the bank name “TÜRKİYE CUMHURİYET MERKEZ BANKASI” is printed in dark ink in a bold serif typeface. To the upper left, a dark ornate cartouche encloses the numeral “1000” in white reserve, surrounded by foliate scroll decoration. Below this, a second “1000” cartouche appears in a slightly different decorative frame, and the denomination text “TÜRK LİRASI” is set in bold letters beneath it. To the upper right, a highly detailed geometric rosette design in pink and red tones incorporates Islamic-influenced interlocking star patterns and fine tracery, providing both decorative richness and an anti-counterfeiting element. A further circular guilloché rosette in pale pink appears to the right of the central scene. The lower right corner carries a third “1000” denomination panel in dark ink. The overall reverse palette is soft pink and grey, with the dark engraved vignette creating strong contrast against the lighter background.

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• Indicate the quantity of 1.000 Türk Lirası Turkish Lira banknotes you want to exchange
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