Turkey 1923(38) 500 kurush Fr-203

Stack's Bowers September 2024 Collector's Choice sale, lot 76771

This specimen was lot 76771 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2024), where it sold for $2,880. The catalog description^[1] noted, "TURKEY. 500 Kurush, "1923" Year 38 (1961). NGC MS-63. From a lower mintage issue, this attractive and hefty 500 Kurush delivers intense eye appeal, and is certain to command much attention." This type was struck in limited quantities in 1941 and 1950-2010. A 500 kurush monnaie de luxe (Fr-208) also exists. Despite the tiny mintage, this coin trades for its bullion value. A similar 500 kuruş features the bust of Ismet Inonu, Ataturk's chief lieutenant.

Recorded mintage: 1,738 plus 9,006 of KM 858 (Ismet Inonu).

Specification: 36.08 g, 0.917 fine gold, 35 mm diameter, 1.063 troy oz AGW.

Catalog reference: Fr-203 (formerly Fr-89); KM-859.

Source:

• Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• ^[1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, September 2024 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.

Link to:

• 1923(23) 500 kuruş, Ismet Inonu = 1946
• 1961 100 kuruş, monnaie de luxe
• 1923(41) 500 kuruş, Kemal Ataturk
• Coins and currency dated 1961