25 Yeni Lira Hattat Hamid Aytaç

Hamid Aytaç (1891–1982) was among the last great Ottoman calligraphers, trained in the classical tradition before the 1928 alphabet reform abolished the Arabic script for Turkish — a decision that effectively ended centuries of living calligraphic practice overnight. He continued producing work well into his nineties, and the Turkish state has periodically honored him in this commemorative series celebrating hat sanatı, the art of calligraphy.

The series draws on a broader push by the Turkish Mint in the mid-2000s to issue .925 silver pieces honoring intangible cultural heritage. KM#1199 is one of several related issues from that campaign.