Turkey Inflation 3 Coin Portfolio Album

This set of Turkish coins issued in 2002 was designed by the Turkish Mint to commemorate subjects of great interest to the Turkish people. It was also the last of the inflationary coins. 
 
The image on the 500,000 lire coin shows what appears to be an Ogese/ Ivese ewe--an improved sheep breed from South East Turkey. Traditional Turkish sheep varieties produce coarse wool suitable for carpets and blankets rather than clothing. The goat on the 750,000 lire coin appears to be an Angora variety, first bred in the Turkish region of the same name, and most famous for producing fine mohair wool used for clothing. 
 
Animal husbandry is an important part of Turkey's agricultural sector and economy. About 1/ 3 of the agricultural output of Turkey are livestock products, mostly from the Anatolia region. A recent estimate claims a Turkish population of around 50 million sheep and goats. About 10,000 years ago, in the Neolithic period, wild sheep and goats native to this region were the first animals to be domesticated by early human civilizations, well before the first crops were planted. Recent government initiatives have promoted improved breeds like the ones found on these coins.
 
The large 1,000,000 lire coin features a portrait of Yunus Emre (1240–1320), a Sufi mystic, considered by many to be one of the most important Turkish poets. He exercised immense influence on Turkish literature, from his own day until the present. He is one of the first known Turkish poets to have composed works in the spoken Turkish of his own age and region rather than in Persian or Arabic. He remains a popular figure in a number of countries, stretching from Azerbaijan to the Balkans, with seven different and widely dispersed localities disputing the privilege of having his tomb within their boundaries.
 
These coins are genuine coins of Turkey denominated in “old lire.” Turkey experienced high inflation rates; from an average of 9 Lira per U.S. dollar in the late 1960s, the currency came to trade at approximately 1.65 million lira per U.S. dollar at its peak in late 2001. This represented an average inflation of about 38% per year. When these coins were minted, the lire had gained some strength, rising to a mere 1.35 million to the dollar. In late December 2003, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey passed a law that allowed for the removal of six zeroes from the currency, and the creation of the new lira. It was introduced January 1, 2005, replacing the old lira at a rate of 1 new lira = 1,000,000 old lira. The old lire remained valid in circulation until the end of 2005.
 
KM1161; W: 4.6 g, D: 20.9 mm Product specs:  KM1162; W: 6.5 g, D: 23.5 mm KM1163; W: 12 g, D: 31.9 mm  Album open measures: 11” x 7.5”  Album folded measures: 5.5” x 7.5”

Wholesale pricing available, contact wholesale@airaco.com for more information