A sea turtle over the seabed and the Latin species name CARETTA CARETTA: this is one of the two coins that opened the bimetallic Fauna of Turkey series in 2009.

The Fauna of Turkey series was issued by Darphane, the country’s state mint, from 2009 to 2016: the bimetallic lira coins came out in pairs, each dedicated to a single animal. The legend TÜRKİYE CUMHURİYETİ, the denomination 1 TÜRK LİRASI and the date unite all the coins of the series.

The loggerhead sea turtle lays its eggs on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, and one of its prime nesting sites is İztuzu Beach near Dalyan. The beach is protected: during the nesting season it is closed to visitors from 8 pm to 8 am.

The coin went on sale on 4 January 2010 together with its companion, the Elephants lira. Darphane sold the first coins of the series as kontenjanlı hatıra para, commemorative coins with a limited sales quota.

The coin fills the Turtle place in a fauna-themed collection and in a date run of Turkish commemorative lira coins. Uncirculated (UNC) condition means the coin has never been in circulation: there is no wear and the mint lustre is intact.

Collecting a date run? Look for the neighbouring years of this type in the VPcoins catalogue.