Statement from the Mint General Secretariat regarding the controversial 5 TL Atatürk portrait: 'Original works are being created'

The Atatürk portrait on the 5 TL commemorative coin, minted 100 million times as a one-time issue for the 100th anniversary of the Republic, had drawn criticism. The General Secretariat of the Mint spoke to 12punto about the controversial 5 TL commemorative coin. The statement said, "Original works are being created for every coin by sculptors."

12punto

12punto.com.tr / Arif HÜR

The 'Communiqué on the Issuance of 5 TL Commemorative Coins in Memory of the 100th Anniversary of the Republic', prepared by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, was published in the Official Gazette on October 31, 2023.

As the 5 TL coin, of which the General Directorate of the Mint and Stamp Printing House minted 100 million pieces as a one-time issue, entered circulation, the Atatürk portrait on the coin sparked debate in the public eye.

'ORIGINAL WORKS ARE BEING CREATED'

The General Secretariat of the Mint made the following statement regarding the controversial 5 TL commemorative coin: "These coins are designed in the workshop located at the Mint. Their designs continue throughout the year. No standard mold is used. Original works are being created for every coin by sculptors."

BECAME A TOPIC ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Some social media users had reacted to the situation, stating that the Atatürk image on the new 5 TL coin did not resemble Atatürk.