Morocco is a land with a unique history with episodes of clashes between the Western and Arabic civilisations due to its strategic location at the farthest tip of North Africa bordering with Spain and other Mediterranean countries. In the medieval period, Morocco was a part of a geo-political entity known to the Arabs as ‘Maghreb’ literally the 'Land of the setting Sun' or the Western Land including other North African countries like Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania and parts of the Western Sahara desert. Medieval geographers referred to Morocco as 'Al-Maghrib al Aqşá' 'The Farthest West', to distinguish it from it immediate neighbours in the West.
In modern times, the Moroccan government invoked this historical identity by adopting the official name ‘al-Mamlaka al Maghrebiyya’ on all its communications including its coinage.
Morocco has been ruled by the Alaouite dynasty which has ruled its territories since 1666; however, the Alaouite ruler, Sultan Abdel Hafid was forced to give up Morocco's sovereignty in 1912 turning it into a French protectorate under the Treaty of Fez.
Morocco has been ruled by the Alaouite dynasty which has ruled its territories since 1666; however, the Alaouite ruler, Sultan Abdel Hafid was forced to give up Morocco's sovereignty in 1912 turning it into a French protectorate under the Treaty of Fez.
The next rulers ruled nominally under French tutelage till Morocco regained her independence in 1956 and became a constitutional monarchy under the leadership of King Mohammad V. He was succeeded by his son, Prince Mulay Hassan who took over as King Hassan II in 1961 and ruled till his death in 1999.
I came across a coin with the legend ‘al-Mamlakatahu al-Maghrebiyya’ with the bust of a leader identified as Hassan II by the legend ‘Hassan al-Thani*' on the obverse. The coin is distinguished by a true-to-life portrait of Hassan II with a grim expression.
The reverse features Morocco's coat-of-arms with the image of two lions upholding a crown and a shield with a star against the setting sun with the crest of the symbol enshrining a Quranic verse ‘An Tansar wa Allah Yansar Kam’ meaning ‘You defend Allah and Allah will defend you’**. The reverse states the denomination as ‘Wahid Dirham’ with the Roman numeral ‘1’ denoting its value as 1 Dirham; the Moroccan dirham’s international acronym lends it a strange connotation, M.A.D. The reverse of this coin has two dates in Roman numerals flanking the coat-of-arms; its date in the Common Era, 1974 and its date in Hijri era, 1394.
Thus, this coin represents Morocco’s unique attempt to straddle between its modern and medieval identity as Morocco’s twin port cities of Casablanca and Tangier which attract hordes of Western tourists to its exotic beaches each summer, contribute to its bustling tourist economy in a major way.
*Thani means Second in Arabic
I came across a coin with the legend ‘al-Mamlakatahu al-Maghrebiyya’ with the bust of a leader identified as Hassan II by the legend ‘Hassan al-Thani*' on the obverse. The coin is distinguished by a true-to-life portrait of Hassan II with a grim expression.
The reverse features Morocco's coat-of-arms with the image of two lions upholding a crown and a shield with a star against the setting sun with the crest of the symbol enshrining a Quranic verse ‘An Tansar wa Allah Yansar Kam’ meaning ‘You defend Allah and Allah will defend you’**. The reverse states the denomination as ‘Wahid Dirham’ with the Roman numeral ‘1’ denoting its value as 1 Dirham; the Moroccan dirham’s international acronym lends it a strange connotation, M.A.D. The reverse of this coin has two dates in Roman numerals flanking the coat-of-arms; its date in the Common Era, 1974 and its date in Hijri era, 1394.
Thus, this coin represents Morocco’s unique attempt to straddle between its modern and medieval identity as Morocco’s twin port cities of Casablanca and Tangier which attract hordes of Western tourists to its exotic beaches each summer, contribute to its bustling tourist economy in a major way.
*Thani means Second in Arabic
**This verse is seen on the actual coat-of-arms but is unclear on the coin’s image
i have one of these in my collection--though until today, i never knew where it was from. i also have a 1980 5-dirham coin. both in good condition.
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DeleteIs this coin worth any thing
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