50 Lira Basketball Championship

Turkey hosted the 2010 FIBA World Championship — the first time the tournament had been held in the country — across five cities including Ankara, Istanbul, and İzmir. The Turkish national team, competing as hosts, reached the quarterfinals before elimination, a result that generated considerable domestic enthusiasm for the sport at a moment when Turkish basketball had been steadily building international credibility through clubs like Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahçe.

The mint issued this piece as part of a broader commemorative program tied to the championship. KM#1296 is a relatively low-mintage sterling issue, though precise figures are difficult to confirm independently.