Republic Gold, Ata Lira and Reşat Coins Compared

The terms investors meet in jewellers' windows can sometimes be confusing. Those turning to larger Turkish gold coins in particular find it hard to choose because of similar names and similar looks. One of the most common questions on the market is whether the "Republic gold coin" (Cumhuriyet altını) and the "Ata Lira" mean the same thing. Add the Reşat coin inherited from the Ottoman era, and you need a detailed guide to choose the right investment.

All Turkish gold coins are made of 22 karat gold, 916 in fineness. But their names, minting, thickness and weight differ. These physical differences directly affect pricing when you buy and sell.

Are the Republic gold coin and the Ata Lira the same?

The Republic gold coin and the Ata Lira, often mentioned side by side, refer to the same product in the trade. Mint gold is divided into two main groups: ziynet (ornamental) coins and sikke (bullion coins). The quarter, half, full and gremse coins belong to the ziynet group.

When jewellers speak of the Republic gold coin, they mean the Ata Lira, which belongs to the sikke group. Bearing a portrait of Atatürk, with milled edges and a thick build, it differs from the ziynet coins. So if you ask a jeweller for a Republic gold coin, you will be given the same product as the Ata Lira.

Features and weight of the Ata Lira

The Ata Lira is a form of physical gold investors often choose for larger savings. It weighs about 7.216 grams. About 22 millimetres across, its most distinctive feature is its thick, solid build, with milled edges.

Because it is designed as an investment, the Ata Lira is usually bought without a loop. Thanks to this and its standard form, the spread between buying and selling price is narrow. It suits those who want to minimise craftsmanship loss on larger investments. To follow current prices, see our market page.

What is the Reşat coin?

The Reşat coin is a historic gold coin struck in the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed V Reşad, from whom it takes its name. Because of its wide recognition and cultural value, it has been traded for many years. Like the Ata Lira, it weighs about 7.216 grams and is 22 karat.

It bears the sultan's tuğra (monogram) and Ottoman inscriptions. Original historic Reşat coins can have antique value and may find buyers at prices different from their gold content. Today, alongside historic coins, newly minted Reşat coins are also bought and sold. New mintings trade at standard coin prices.

Telling original and newly minted Reşat coins apart

Original Reşat coins are historic coins struck during the reign of Sultan Mehmed V Reşad, between 1909 and 1918. The front bears the Ottoman tuğra, and the back the inscription "Kostantiniyye", showing it was minted in Istanbul, and the year.

Newly minted Reşat coins are priced on the 22 karat gold they contain. Original historic coins can carry collector value and may sell above their gold value. This difference brings the risk of someone trying to sell a new coin at an antique price. Recognising an original takes experience, so when buying a coin said to have historic value, consult a jeweller you trust. For forgery risks, see our guide how to tell if gold is fake.

Reşat coins are also often used in traditional jewellery, especially in necklaces and sets chosen for weddings.

The ziynet full coin versus the Ata Lira

The product most often confused with the Ata Lira is the full coin (tam altın) from the ziynet group. Both are large coins, but their weights and builds differ. The full coin weighs four times the quarter coin described in how many grams is a quarter gold coin. It weighs about 7.016 grams, slightly lighter than the Ata Lira.

Side by side, the full coin is about 30 millimetres across, wider than the Ata Lira, but much thinner. The Ata Lira is smaller in diameter but thick; the full coin is wider but thin. The difference in weight is naturally reflected in price: the Ata Lira sells for more than the full coin.

Comparison table

Which should you invest in?

When choosing, consider your own expectations and budget. If your goal is long-term saving, holding larger sums physically and minimal loss when selling, the Ata Lira is a strong option.

If you are looking for something that fits the gift-giving tradition or will be worn as jewellery, consider the full coin, which is better suited to wearing with a loop. For those seeking nostalgic value, the Reşat coin is an alternative. To compare the values of different types of gold, use our tools page. To see them up close, visit our store in Ümraniye, Istanbul; our address is in the contact section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the Ata Lira and the Republic gold coin weigh the same?

Yes. The coin popularly known as the Republic gold coin is the Ata Lira. It weighs about 7.216 grams and is 22 karat.

Does a full coin fetch less than an Ata Lira when sold?

The full coin (about 7.016 grams) weighs less than the Ata Lira (about 7.216 grams). So you pay less when buying a full coin, and when selling you receive a correspondingly lower amount, in proportion to its pure gold content.

Can newly minted Reşat coins be sold at jewellers?

Newly minted Reşat coins are bought and sold at jewellers at the current 22 karat coin price. Original historic Reşat coins may be valued separately according to their antique value.

Is the Ata Lira sold with or without a loop?

For investment, the Ata Lira is usually bought without a loop, and it is recommended to keep it that way. A loop can be added if you wish, but it is not counted when the coin is sold.