1 Dirham – Morocco
Morocco
Context
Years: 1823–1824
Issuer: Morocco 
Ruler: Moulay ‘Abd al-Rahman
Currency:
(1659—1882)
Demonetized: Yes
Material
References
Numista: #157133
Value
Bullion value: $7.95
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Mintings
| Year | Mint Mark | Mintage | Quality | Collection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1823 | — | — | ||
| 1824 | — | — |
Historical background
In 1823, the currency situation in the Kingdom of Morocco was characterized by a complex and fragmented monetary system, a legacy of its historical trade networks and limited central minting authority. The primary circulating coin was the silver dirham, but its weight and purity were not standardized, leading to a proliferation of different regional issues and foreign coins. Spanish reales (particularly the "piece of eight"), Ottoman kurush, and other European and Middle Eastern currencies circulated freely alongside local coinage, especially in the bustling port cities. This created a challenging environment for trade, as merchants and officials constantly had to assess and negotiate exchange rates based on the intrinsic metal content and origin of each coin.
The Alawite Sultan Moulay Slimane (r. 1792–1822) had recently died, and his successor, Moulay Abderrahmane (r. 1822–1859), was consolidating power amidst internal tribal challenges. The state's mint, the dar al-sikka, operated in cities like Fez and Marrakech, but its output was inconsistent and insufficient to unify the monetary landscape. Furthermore, the economy was still reeling from the combined effects of a devastating plague in 1818-20 and severe droughts, which strained the treasury and disrupted agricultural production, the base of the economy. This scarcity of precious metals and economic contraction put additional pressure on the currency system.
Consequently, the monetary reality was one of localized trust and commodity-based valuation. Large transactions, especially in foreign trade, relied on heavy, stamped silver bars or trusted foreign coinage, while small-scale local commerce often resorted to barter or the use of low-quality copper fulus. The lack of a strong, uniform national currency reflected the decentralized political structure of the Makhzen (central government) and the autonomy of various regions and tribes. This fragmented system would persist until later in the 19th century, when increased European commercial and political pressure eventually forced monetary reforms.
The Alawite Sultan Moulay Slimane (r. 1792–1822) had recently died, and his successor, Moulay Abderrahmane (r. 1822–1859), was consolidating power amidst internal tribal challenges. The state's mint, the dar al-sikka, operated in cities like Fez and Marrakech, but its output was inconsistent and insufficient to unify the monetary landscape. Furthermore, the economy was still reeling from the combined effects of a devastating plague in 1818-20 and severe droughts, which strained the treasury and disrupted agricultural production, the base of the economy. This scarcity of precious metals and economic contraction put additional pressure on the currency system.
Consequently, the monetary reality was one of localized trust and commodity-based valuation. Large transactions, especially in foreign trade, relied on heavy, stamped silver bars or trusted foreign coinage, while small-scale local commerce often resorted to barter or the use of low-quality copper fulus. The lack of a strong, uniform national currency reflected the decentralized political structure of the Makhzen (central government) and the autonomy of various regions and tribes. This fragmented system would persist until later in the 19th century, when increased European commercial and political pressure eventually forced monetary reforms.
✨ Legendary