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Over the years, a retired resident of Edirne, Selami Yilmaz, has turned his passion for collecting into a large archive featuring currencies from 163 countries. Yilmaz, who has kept valuable and interesting items since childhood, turned to currency collecting after retiring in 2009.
Following auctions over the past eight years, Yilmaz has collected currencies from different periods, gradually expanding his collection and adding currencies from around the world to his archive.
Having added currencies from 163 countries to his collection to date, Yilmaz's archive contains numerous banknotes and coins bearing witness to different eras, cultures and economic systems.
Yilmaz said that he took his first step into collecting by saving items he found valuable during his childhood. Stating that he wanted to make use of the currencies he had and build a lasting collection after retiring, Yilmaz said he expanded his collection with currencies purchased at auctions.
Noting that researching currencies from different countries and adding a new piece to his collection brings him happiness, Yilmaz said: "I have collected currencies from 163 countries so far. My goal is to collect the currencies of every country."
Explaining that collecting has no limits, Yilmaz stressed that obtaining every currency ever printed in the world is quite difficult, both financially and in terms of availability. He said that, within his means, he tries to add both currencies still in circulation and those that have been withdrawn from circulation to his collection.
Stating that currencies are not merely an economic tool but also carry traces of the history and culture of the period in which they were printed, Yilmaz explained that the images, writing and symbols on them attract his interest.
"For example, there are currencies that Germany printed for temporary use by public institutions and organizations during World War I. These are interesting," he said.
Noting that the materials used in currency production have also changed over time, Yilmaz said his collection also includes banknotes produced from polymer material by some countries.
He also said that these currencies have different characteristics compared to paper banknotes and that water-resistant polymer currencies are among the notable examples in his collection.
Yilmaz said that although he continues to collect currencies from around the world, he gives priority to Turkish currency in his collection. Noting that one of the most valuable pieces in his collection is a 1-lira banknote put into circulation in 1926, Yilmaz said that currencies printed especially in the early years of the Republic hold particular significance for him.
He aims to complete his collection of old Turkish currency within his means, noting that some banknotes cannot easily be obtained by collectors due to their high value.
With the hopes of continuing the growth of his collection, Yilmaz said he will keep adding new currencies from different countries around the world to his archive as his means allow.
"My goal is to add one or two currencies from each country to my collection as I obtain them. God forbid there be an urgent need or difficulty, but otherwise I want to leave my collection to my grandchildren," Yilmaz said.
In addition to his currency collection, Yilmaz also collects stamps and prayer beads, adding that he aims to develop these smaller-scale collections over time as well.
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