Turkey 1000 Lira XF Banknote | 1978–1981 | P#191

Obverse | Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

The front features a prominent portrait of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey. As with the preceding E6 denominations, his portrait provides a consistent Republican identity across the series.

The 1000 Lira denomination and Central Bank inscriptions are integrated into the detailed engraved composition. Furthermore, the predominantly purple appearance gives P#191 a visual character that distinguishes it immediately when displayed beside the lower denominations.

Because this is the highest denomination in the sequence, the Atatürk portrait also forms the final obverse position when collectors arrange the E6 notes in ascending face-value order.

Reverse | Bosphorus & Boğaziçi University

The reverse presents a view across the Bosphorus together with Boğaziçi University in Istanbul. The composition combines the city’s famous waterway with an important educational institution, creating a broad landscape rather than focusing on a single isolated monument.

The Bosphorus provides the geographic setting, while the university buildings connect the design with Istanbul’s academic heritage. Consequently, P#191 closes the denomination sequence with a subject that combines landscape, city identity, and education.

This reverse also complements the 500 Lira P#190 particularly well. While P#190 depicts the Main Gate of Istanbul University, P#191 continues the educational theme through Boğaziçi University but places it within a much wider Bosphorus panorama.

• Issuing Bank: Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey.
• Emission Group: E6.
• First Issue Date: 29 May 1978.
• Material: Paper.
• Dimensions: Approximately 170 × 82 mm.
• Watermark: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

P#191 exists in three principal production series associated with 1978, 1979, and 1981. Although all three retain the same Atatürk and Bosphorus design, the signature combinations and serial prefixes allow collectors to distinguish the individual varieties.

The 1978 Series I carries Cafer Tayyar Sadıklar and Osman Şıklar signatures. The 1979 Series II uses İsmail Hakkı Aydınoğlu and Tanju Polatkan. Finally, the 1981 Series III carries Osman Şıklar and İbrahim Kurt.

Therefore, one P#191 is sufficient for a denomination-based E6 collection. However, specialists can expand the position by collecting the different signature and prefix varieties separately.

This product is supplied in Extremely Fine (XF) condition. Therefore, unlike an UNC banknote, it should be considered a carefully circulated collectible rather than a completely untouched example.

An XF note generally retains strong visual detail and an attractive overall appearance while showing limited evidence of circulation. Accordingly, minor handling traces or light folds may be present depending on the individual specimen.

For collectors assembling the complete E6 denomination sequence, an attractive XF P#191 provides a practical way to fill the highest-value position while maintaining a strong presentation across the collection.

The Final Denomination of the E6 Sequence

The 1000 Lira occupies an especially important position because it completes the denomination progression covered by this E6 group. Starting with 5 Lira, the sequence progresses through 10, 20, 50, 100, and 500 before reaching this highest value.

As a result, P#191 works particularly well as the finishing banknote in a denomination-based collection. Its large format and high face value also give the final position a noticeably different presence from the smaller opening denominations.

Istanbul and Education at the Top of the Series

The final two denominations create an interesting thematic relationship. P#190 uses Istanbul University’s Main Gate, whereas P#191 presents Boğaziçi University together with the Bosphorus.

However, the two reverses approach the educational theme differently. The 500 Lira focuses closely on monumental architecture, while the 1000 Lira expands outward into a wider city and waterfront landscape. Thus, the upper denominations complement one another without repeating the same visual composition.

Within the E6 sequence we are building, the 1000 Lira P#191 follows the 5 Lira P#185, 10 Lira P#186, 20 Lira P#187, 50 Lira P#188, 100 Lira P#189, and 500 Lira P#190.

Therefore, P#191 occupies the seventh and final denomination position in this collection. For collectors who already own the six lower values, adding the 1000 Lira completes the full denomination progression from 5 to 1000 Lira.

• Single banknote: One authentic Turkey 1000 Lira note.
• P#191: E6 catalogue reference with three principal production series.
• Atatürk obverse: Features Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on the front.
• Bosphorus reverse: Features the Bosphorus and Boğaziçi University in Istanbul.
• XF condition: Well-preserved circulated collectible with strong overall presentation.
• Series position: Highest denomination and final position in the 5–1000 Lira E6 sequence.

• Use archival protection: Store the banknote in an acid-free sleeve suitable for its 170 × 82 mm dimensions.
• Preserve the XF grade: Avoid introducing additional folds, pressure, or unnecessary handling.
• Record the variety: Check the signatures and prefix when cataloguing your P#191 example.
• Control the environment: Keep the banknote away from excessive humidity, heat, and prolonged direct sunlight.

The Turkey 1000 Lira P#191 combines Mustafa Kemal Atatürk with a Bosphorus and Boğaziçi University panorama, creating the highest and final denomination in this classic seven-note E6 Turkish Lira sequence.