The money in our pockets has changed: 200 TL hits a record, coins are becoming history
In the last two and a half years, the number of 200 TL banknotes in circulation has more than tripled to reach a record level, while lower-denomination banknotes and coins have virtually melted away from the market.
12punto
One of the most prominent effects of the high inflation recently experienced in Turkey has been observed in the distribution of banknotes in the market.
According to data from the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (TCMB), while the proportion of 200 lira banknotes in circulation has increased rapidly, banknotes of 100 TL and below have declined. The share of 200 TL banknotes, which accounted for 30 percent of total banknotes in May 2023, rose to 59.43 percent as of December 2025. During the same period, the share of 100 lira banknotes fell from 31 percent to 13.57 percent, and the number of 50 TL banknotes decreased by more than half.
200 TL banknotes recorded an increase of 218 percent in the 2.5 years between May 2023 and December 2025, exceeding 3 billion 757 million units in total. With this increase, 200 TL notes have become dominant in the market, while the use of lower-denomination banknotes has decreased.
While the number of 50 TL and 100 TL banknotes in the market has shown a decline, 100 lira banknotes now account for only 13 out of every 100 banknotes in the market compared to the past. The number of 50 TL banknotes, which was 514 million in June 2023, fell to 250 million in December 2025, marking a significant decline.
A similar trend is noticeable on the side of coins. While the number of coins minted by the Mint has declined remarkably, the amount of 1 TL, 50 kuruş, 10 kuruş, and 5 kuruş coins in circulation has decreased sharply. By 2025, 1 TL coins decreased by 27 percent, the number of 50 kuruş coins by 75 percent, and the number of 10 and 5 kuruş coins by 95 percent. The 25 kuruş coin was not produced at all in 2025.
There was also a decline in the total market share of 10 TL and 5 TL banknotes. While 10 lira banknotes had a 12 percent market share in May 2023, this rate fell to 9.56 percent in December 2025. For 5 TL banknotes, this rate fell from 10.38 percent to 8.72 percent. 20 TL banknotes are struggling to maintain their market share at the 5 percent level.