Turkey 20 Lira UNC Banknote | 1974–1983 | P#187

Obverse | Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

The front features Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey. His portrait provides visual continuity with the other denominations of the E6 group and immediately establishes the Republican identity of the banknote.

Around the portrait, the Central Bank inscriptions and 20 Lira denomination are integrated into the ornamental composition. Consequently, collectors comparing P#187 with neighboring E6 denominations can observe a consistent Atatürk-centered obverse style while discovering completely different subjects on their reverses.

Reverse | Anıtkabir in Ankara

The reverse features Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Ankara. The monumental complex provides the principal architectural subject and reinforces the connection between both sides of the banknote.

Also visible are the Turkish Men sculptures at the entrance to the Road of Lions. These monumental figures form part of the ceremonial approach to Anıtkabir and add another recognizable detail for collectors studying the reverse design.

Therefore, unlike the preceding denominations where Atatürk appears only on the portrait side, P#187 connects both sides directly with his national legacy.

• Issuing Bank: Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey.
• Emission Group: E6.
• First Issue: 24 June 1974.
• Material: Paper.
• Dimensions: Approximately 143 × 66 mm.
• Watermark: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Unlike some neighboring denominations, P#187 exists with several signature combinations. Catalogue references associate the principal varieties with issues from 1974, 1979, and 1983.

The earlier varieties include different governor and vice-governor signatures, while later production introduces another signature combination. Prefixes can also vary. Therefore, collectors should treat the photographed serial number, prefix, and signatures as representative unless a particular variety is explicitly selected.

This variation adds another collecting dimension to P#187. A denomination collector may require only one example, whereas a specialist can pursue the different signature and prefix varieties separately.

Atatürk on Both Sides of the Story

The 20 Lira has a particularly coherent theme within this E6 group. Atatürk appears directly through his portrait on the obverse. Meanwhile, the reverse continues the subject through Anıtkabir, his mausoleum in Ankara.

As a result, P#187 differs conceptually from the 5 Lira and 10 Lira notes. Those denominations pair Atatürk with a natural landmark or Istanbul cityscape, whereas the 20 Lira maintains a direct Atatürk-related theme across both sides.

Why Anıtkabir Matters to the Design

Anıtkabir is not simply a background building. Its monumental architecture gives the reverse a strong visual structure, while the Road of Lions sculptures introduce an additional artistic element.

Furthermore, the Ankara setting expands the geographical range of the series. After Manavgat in Antalya on the 5 Lira and Istanbul on the 10 Lira, the 20 Lira shifts the collector’s attention to the Turkish capital.

Within the older Turkish sequence we are building, the 20 Lira P#187 follows the 5 Lira P#185 and 10 Lira P#186. It therefore occupies the third denomination position while continuing the E6 design family.

Collectors assembling the series denomination by denomination can place P#187 directly after the 10 Lira. Meanwhile, collectors specializing in varieties can go further by identifying the signatures and prefixes represented on individual P#187 examples.

• Single banknote: One authentic Turkey 20 Lira note.
• P#187: Classic E6 catalogue reference with multiple signature varieties.
• Atatürk obverse: Features Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on the front.
• Anıtkabir reverse: Features Atatürk’s mausoleum and Road of Lions sculptures in Ankara.
• UNC condition: Suitable for clean album presentation and archival storage.
• Series position: Third denomination in the 5 · 10 · 20 Lira progression.

• Use archival protection: Store the banknote inside an acid-free currency sleeve.
• Protect UNC surfaces: Handle carefully by the edges and avoid unnecessary contact.
• Record the variety: Note the prefix and signatures when cataloguing your P#187 example.
• Limit environmental exposure: Keep the note away from excessive humidity, heat, and direct sunlight.

The Turkey 20 Lira P#187 combines Mustafa Kemal Atatürk with Anıtkabir and its Road of Lions sculptures, creating a strongly unified Atatürk-themed design within the classic E6 Turkish Lira series.