Turkish gold coins explained
Turkish gold coins are sold by the piece and are a traditional gift at weddings and births. All are 22 carat (916).
| Item | Weight (approx.) | Purity |
|---|---|---|
| Çeyrek Altın (quarter coin, 25 kurush) | 1.75 g | 22K (916) |
| Yarım Altın (half coin, 50 kurush) | 3.5 g | 22K (916) |
| Tam Altın (full coin, 100 kurush) | 7.0 g | 22K (916) |
| Cumhuriyet Altını (Ata, 100 kurush) | 7.2 g | 22K (916) |
Çeyrek means quarter, Yarım half and Tam full. The Cumhuriyet (Republic) coin, also called Ata, shows Atatürk's portrait.
How a jeweller's price is made up
- Gold value: the weight of pure gold in the item multiplied by today's gold price.
- Labour premium: added on top of the gold value. It is small for coins and bars and higher for jewellery with fine workmanship.
- Buying and selling price: a shop sells above and buys back below the market price. Ask for both if you may sell the item later.
- Hallmark: Turkish jewellery is stamped with its purity, for example 22K (916) or 14K (585). Check the stamp and the weight on the label.
- Invoice: ask for an invoice (fatura) showing the weight, purity and price. You may need it at customs.
Tip: ask for the price in Turkish lira and compare the exchange rate the shop uses with the live rate on this page. Comparing two or three shops is common practice at the bazaar.
Taking gold out of Turkey
Travellers may take personal jewellery worth up to USD 15,000 out of Turkey without commercial purpose. Taking out jewellery of higher value depends on having declared it on arrival or proving that it was bought in Turkey, so keep your invoice. Source: Istanbul Airport customs guide.
For gold bars or large quantities, check the rules with customs before you travel. Your home country's import rules also apply when you arrive.
Practical information
The Grand Bazaar is open Monday to Saturday from 08:30 to 19:00 and closed on Sundays and public holidays (istanbul.com).
The official gold market is closed at weekends, but the bazaar is open on Saturdays. Our weekend gold price page shows Friday's close and a live weekend indicator.