Quarter Gold Leads as Turkey Mints Over 13 Million Gold Coins in a Single Year

Turkey’s gold minting activity reached remarkable levels last year, highlighting the enduring role of gold in both savings and cultural traditions. Official data compiled from the General Directorate of Mint and Stamp Printing (Darphane ve Damga Matbaası Genel Müdürlüğü) reveal that 13,176,051 gold coins and bullion pieces of various types were produced nationwide in 2025. Among all categories, quarter-sized ornamental gold emerged as the most minted product, with more than 7 million units entering the market.

This production volume reflects not only consumer demand but also Turkey’s long-standing institutional framework governing gold minting, which has remained tightly regulated for decades.

How Republic Gold Is Produced in Turkey

Under a 1951 decision of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), the state-run Mint has exclusive authority to produce Republic gold coins. These gold products are manufactured using 24-carat standard bullion gold, which undergoes a series of highly controlled and security-focused processes.

These stages include casting, rolling, cutting, tolerance adjustment, annealing, pressing, edge reeding, and final quality control. Following these procedures, the gold is issued in two main groups—coins (sikke) and ornamental jewelry gold (ziynet)—and produced in 10 different diameters and weights, standardized at 22-carat purity.

Coins bearing the embossed image of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk are commonly known as “Ata lira”, while thinner ornamental versions are typically preferred for jewelry, gifts, and ceremonial use, particularly at weddings and family celebrations.

Total Production and Gold Usage in 2025

According to the Mint’s official figures, 13.17 million gold pieces were produced across all categories in 2025. Of this total:

10,241,427 units consisted of ornamental Republic gold
2,556,157 units were coin-style Republic gold

To meet this production scale, the Mint used 49 tons, 715 kilograms, and 513.8 grams of gold throughout the year. These numbers underline the sheer material and operational scale behind Turkey’s gold production, which serves both domestic demand and long-established investment habits.

Quarter Ornamental Gold Dominates the Market

Within the ornamental Republic gold category, quarter gold stood out decisively. A total of 7,035,130 quarter gold pieces were minted, making it the most-produced gold type across all categories.

Other ornamental gold production figures included:

1,306,010 half gold pieces
1,791,477 full gold pieces
107,570 two-and-a-half gold pieces
1,240 five-unit gold pieces

Altogether, ornamental Republic gold production totaled 31 tons, 402 kilograms, and 599.6 grams. The dominance of quarter gold reflects its affordability, liquidity, and cultural popularity, particularly as a traditional gift and small-scale savings instrument.

Coin Republic Gold: Full Coin Takes the Lead

In the coin Republic gold (sikke) category, production patterns differed slightly. While quarter and half coins were minted in more limited quantities, the full Republic gold coin emerged as the most produced coin type.

Minting figures for coin Republic gold in 2025 were as follows:

280,245 quarter coins
56,322 half coins
2,202,220 full coins
1,860 two-and-a-half coins
15,510 five-unit coins

In total, 2,556,157 coin Republic gold pieces were produced, with a combined weight of 17 tons, 189 kilograms, and 375.8 grams. The preference for full coins in this category suggests stronger demand from long-term investors and savers who favor higher-value units.

Reşad Gold and Mint Bullion Also in Circulation

Beyond Republic gold, the Mint also produced Reşad gold, a historically inspired category that continues to attract niche demand. In 2025, production figures for Reşad gold included:

891 half Reşad coins
21,158 full Reşad coins
1,560 two-and-a-half Reşad coins
16,680 five-unit Reşad coins

In total, 40,289 Reşad gold pieces were minted, weighing a combined 785 kilograms and 178.1 grams.

Additionally, the Mint issued 338,178 units of bullion-style Mint gold in various gram weights. Producing these bullion pieces required 338 kilograms and 360.3 grams of gold, catering primarily to investors seeking standardized, gram-based gold products rather than traditional coin formats.

Gold’s Enduring Role in Turkey

The data highlights how deeply gold remains embedded in Turkey’s economic and social fabric. From weddings and savings to portfolio diversification, gold continues to serve multiple roles. The overwhelming dominance of quarter-ornamental gold demonstrates how accessibility and tradition shape consumer preferences, while the strong production of full-coin gold points to sustained investment demand.