MAD – Moroccan Dirham

Monetary System

1882 – 1921: 1 Moroccan rial = 10 dirham = 500 mazunas
1921 – 1974: 1 Moroccan franc = 100 centimes
16.10.1959: 1 Moroccan dirham (MAD) = 100 santimat

2023 Issues

Description: 50.00 MAD – Moroccan Dirham Size: 137 x 70 mm

Green. Front: Arabic text; two 5-pointed stars; denomination in OVI; Ouzoud Falls; architectural design inspired by Moroccan doors; King Mohammed VI; Moroccan coat of arms; denomination as registration device; two 5-pointed stars. Back: French text; denomination as registration device; saffron flowers; wind turbines; solar station Noor Ouarzatate; Ouirgane dam; desalinization station in Agadir. Blue-to-green windowed security thread with demetalized five-pointed star, DH (dirham), and 50. Watermark: King Mohammed VI and electrotype 50. Printer: (Dar As-Sikkah). 137 x 70 mm. Paper.

Description: 100.00 MAD – Moroccan Dirham Size: 144 x 70 mm

Brown, yellow, blue, and purple. Front: Arabic text; three 5-pointed stars; denomination in OVI; arcades of the front of the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca; architectural details of Moroccan doors; King Mohamed VI; Moroccan coat of arms; denomination as registration device; three 5-pointed stars. Back: French text; denomination as registration device; Tiznit-Dahla expressway; Place Mechouar in Laayoune in Casablanca; Feast of Moussem de Tan-Tan; bird in flight. Windowed security thread. Watermark: King Mohammed VI and electrotype 100. Printer: (Dar As-Sikkah). 144 x 70 mm. Paper.

Description: 200.00 MAD – Moroccan Dirham Size: 151 x 70 mm

Blue, green, orange, and purple. Front: Arabic text; four 5-pointed stars; denomination in OVI; Mohamed VI Bridge at Haubans; King Mohammed VI; architectural details of Moroccan doors; Moroccan coat of arms; denomination as registration device; four 5-pointed stars. Back: French text; denomination as registration device; stylized views of Mohamed VI Tower and International Airport of Marrakesh-Menara (RAK); artistic designs related to industrial and digital development. Windowed security thread. Watermark: King Mohammed VI and electrotype 200. Printer: (Dar As-Sikkah). 151 x 70 mm. Paper.

2019 Commemorative Issues

This note commemorates the 20th anniversary of the enthronement of King Mohammed VI, with the back featuring some of the major projects completed under his leadership. The prefix س 20 مsignifies King Mohammed VI, where سis equivalent to S for “sixth” and م is equivalent to M for “Mohammed.”

Description: 20.00 MAD – Moroccan Dirham Size: 130 x 70 mm

Purple, yellow, and green. Front (vertical): Arabic text; King Mohammed VI; coat of arms. Back: French text; Al Buraq high-speed train; Mohammed VI bridge; NOOR 3 solar power plant in Ouarzazate; Mohammed VI satellite. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: (Note Printing Australia). 130 x 70 mm. Polymer.

2012 Issues

Description: 20.00 MAD – Moroccan Dirham Size: 131 x 70 mm

Purple, orange, and blue. Front: Arabic text; denomination numerals as registration device; Moroccan door; coat of arms; King Mohammed VI; crown with five-pointed star (Seal of Solomon). Back: French text; train crossing Hassan II Bridge over the Bou Regreg river in Rabat; Hassan II Mosque and city buildings in Casablanca; denomination numerals as registration device. Color-shifting windowed security thread with demetalized 20 and Bank Al-Maghrib in Arabic. Watermark: King Mohammed VI and electrotype 20.Printer: (Dar As-Sikkah). 131 x 70 mm. Paper.

Description: 50.00 MAD – Moroccan Dirham Size: 138 x 70 mm

Green, yellow, and blue. Front: Arabic text; denomination numerals as registration device; Moroccan door; coat of arms; King Mohammed VI; crown with five-pointed star (Seal of Solomon). Back: French text; Ouzoud Falls; Argan tree, fruit, and falcon; denomination numerals as registration device. Color-shifting windowed security thread with demetalized 50 and Bank Al-Maghrib in Arabic. Watermark: King Mohammed VI and electrotype 50.Printer: (Dar As-Sikkah). 138 x 70 mm. Paper.

Description: 100.00 MAD – Moroccan Dirham Size: 145 x 70 mm

Brown, yellow, violet, and blue. Front: Arabic text; denomination numerals as registration device; Moroccan door; coat of arms; King Mohammed VI; crown with five-pointed star (Seal of Solomon) in green-to-gold SPARK. Back: French text; Touareg tent; wind turbine farm; three camels with riders on a desert; denomination numerals as registration device. 4-mm wide green-to-gold RollingStar windowed security thread with demetalized 100 and Bank Al-Maghrib in Arabic. Watermark: King Mohammed VI and electrotype 100. Printer: (Dar As-Sikkah). 145 x 70 mm. Paper.

Description: 200.00 MAD – Moroccan Dirham Size: 151 x 70 mm

Blue, green, and violet. Front: Arabic text; denomination numerals as registration device; Moroccan door; coat of arms; King Mohammed VI; crown with five-pointed star (Seal of Solomon) in green-to-gold SPARK. Back: French text; cargo ship, gantry cranes, and shipping containers in port of Tangier; lighthouse and trees on Cape Spartel in Tangier; denomination numerals as registration device. Motion windowed security thread with stars. Watermark: King Mohammed VI and electrotype 200. Printer: (Dar As-Sikkah). 151 x 70 mm. Paper.

2012 Commemorative Issues

This note commemorates the 25th anniversary of Dar As-Sikkah, the bank department that prints notes and mints coins. Four different prefixes were placed into circulation: 07 refers to the Islamic (Hejira) year 1407 when Dar As-Sikkah was founded, whereas 87 refers to the equivalent Christian year 1987; 33 refers to the Islamic year 1433 when the banknote was released, and 12 refers to the equivalent Christian year 2012.

Description: 25.00 MAD – Moroccan Dirham Size: 130 x 70 mm

Orange, red, yellow, green, and blue. Front (vertical): Arabic text; King Mohammed VI; Bank Al-Maghrib and Dar As-Sikkah buildings; OVI crown. Back (vertical): French text; stylized coins, notes, and passports. Magenta-to-green color-shifting windowed security thread with demetalized 25 and five-pointed star (Seal of Solomon). Watermark: King Mohammed VI. Printer: (Dar As-Sikkah). 130 x 70 mm. Composite (Durasafe).
This is the first commemorative note in the world to be printed on Durasafe, a paper-polymer-paper composite substrate produced by Landqart.

Bank Al-Maghrib

In March 1987, Banque du Maroc changed its name to Bank Al-Maghrib (BAM) in all languages. The Maghreb is traditionally defined as most of the region of Northwest Africa, west of Egypt, a region including the Atlas Mountains and the coastal plains of Algeria, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia.
For more information, visit www.bkam.ma.

Protectorate of France in Morocco
Protectorat de la France au Maroc

On 8 April 1904, France and Great Britain signed the Entente Cordiale (French: Cordial Agreement), thereby settling many concerns of colonial expansion, including France’s recognition of British control over Egypt, and Britain’s recognition of French control in Morocco, excluding Spain’s long-standing spheres of influence in the north and south.
The French Protectorate in Morocco was established by the Treaty of Fez, signed by France and Morocco’s Sultan Abdelhafid. It existed from 30 March 1912, when a protectorate was formally established, until Moroccan independence on 2 March 1956, and consisted of the area of Morocco between the Corridor of Taza and the Draa river.
The Spanish Protectorate in Morocco was established on 27 November 1912 by a treaty between France and Spain that converted the Spanish spheres of influence into a formal protectorate. The Spanish protectorate consisted of a northern strip of territory on the Mediterranean and a southern strip bordering the Spanish Sahara. The northern zone was ceded to an independent Morocco on 7 April 1956, shortly after France had ceded her protectorate. Spain finally ceded her southern zone through the Treaty of Angra de Cintra on 1 April 1958, only after the short Ifni War.

Currency Museum

The Museum of the Bank Al-Maghrib was founded in 1992 and is open to the public. For more information, http://www.bkam.ma/wps/musee/default.html.

Outmoded Notes

2009 Commemorative Issues

This note commemorates the 50th anniversary of the central bank. Four million notes were issued at face value. This is the first commemorative banknote issued in Morocco. It was designed by Roger Pfund, the Swiss artist who has also designed notes for Switzerland, France, and the European Union.

Description: 50.00 MAD – Moroccan Dirham Size: 147 x 70 mm

Green. Front: Arabic text; OVI crown; Kings Mohammed VI, Hassan II, and Mohammed V; stars. Back: Stars; Bank French text; Al-Maghrib headquarters building in Rabat; microprinted speech delivered in 1959 by Mohammed V at the opening of Bank Al Maghrib. Holographic stripe with three portraits. Windowed security thread with demetalized 50 and Arabic text. Watermark: King Mohammed VI and electrotype 50. Printer: (Dar As-Sikkah). 147 x 70 mm. Paper.

2002 – 2005 Issues

These notes feature entirely new designs and improved security features, such as Omron rings and electrotype watermarks on all denominations, and windowed security threads and OVI printing on the two largest denominations.

Description: 20.00 MAD – Moroccan Dirham Size: 140 x 70 mm

Violet. Front: Arabic text; King Mohammed VI; Bab Challah gate in Rabat; Mohammed V mausoleum portal as registration device. Back: French text; Mohammed V mausoleum portal; boat, kasbah (fortified city) Oudaïas, and minaret in Rabat; star morphing into open book; traditional door knocker. Solid security thread with demetalized 20 and Arabic text. Watermark: King Mohammed VI and electrotype 20. Printer: (Dar As-Sikkah). 140 x 70 mm. Paper.

Description: 50.00 MAD – Moroccan Dirham Size: 147 x 70 mm

Green and yellow. Front: Arabic text; King Mohammed VI; Mohammed V dam on the Moulouya River; olive leaves as registration device. Back: French text; olive leaves; adobe buildings (ksour); star morphing into drop of water; sunflower; wheat stalk; vase; bowl. Solid security thread with demetalized 50 and Arabic text. Watermark: King Mohammed VI and electrotype 50. Printer: (Dar As-Sikkah). 147 x 70 mm. Paper.

Description: 100.00 MAD – Moroccan Dirham Size: 150 x 78 mm

Brown. Front: Arabic text; Kings Mohammed VI, Mohammed V, and Hassan II; mausoleum of Mohammed V in Rabat; OVI pentagon; brooch as registration device. Back: French text; brooch; men holding flags, participating in The Green March in Tarfaya in 1975; star morphing into dove; nautilus shells; brooches. Windowed security thread with demetalized 100 and Arabic text. Watermark: King Mohammed VI and electrotype 100. Printer: (Dar As-Sikkah). 150 x 78 mm. Paper.

Description: 200.00 MAD – Moroccan Dirham Size: 158 x 78 mm

Blue and yellow. Front: Arabic text; Kings Mohammed VI and Hassan II; Hassan II mosque in Casablanca; OVI pentagon; seashell as registration device. Back: French text; seashell; windows of theological school at Hassan II mosque; star morphing into seashell; lighthouse. Windowed security thread with demetalized 200 and Arabic text. Watermark: King Mohammed VI and electrotype 200. Printer: (Dar As-Sikkah). 158 x 78 mm. Paper.

1996 Issues

The 10-dirham note was replaced by a coin in 1995. This 20-dirham note became the new lowest denomination banknote, and features the same portrait as the other denominations in circulation at that time, albeit as a mirror image positioned at far left.

Description: 20.00 MAD – Moroccan Dirham Size: 130 x 68 mm

Reddish brown, olive green, blue, and orange. Front: Arabic text; King Hassan II; Hassan II mosque in Casablanca; sunburst as registration device. Back: French text; sunburst; wall fountain in Hassan II mosque in Casablanca. Solid security thread with demetalized BANK AL-MAGHRIB 20. Watermark: King Hassan II. Printer: (Dar As-Sikkah). 130 x 68 mm. Paper.

1987 (1991) Issues

These notes are like the preceding issues, but with a new portrait of King Hassan II for all denominations, and different colors for the 10-dirham note. The dates on these notes are unchanged.
Several different watermarks have been confirmed across the denominations, but separate variety letters have not been assigned because a definitive accounting of all available watermarks has not yet been possible. Anyone possessing notes with watermark varieties different than those illustrated on the following pages is encouraged to report same so that they may be added to future revisions of this chapter.

Description: 10.00 MAD – Moroccan Dirham Size: 143 x 70 mm

Violet, red, and brown. Front: Arabic text; five-pointed star (Seal of Solomon) as registration device; ablution pavilion of the Qaraouiyne mosque in Fès; King Hassan II. Back: French text; column top from the Medersa Attarine in Fès; lute (Moroccan oud) musical instrument; five-pointed star (Seal of Solomon). Solid security thread with printed Arabic text. Watermark: King Hassan II. Printer: (Dar As-Sikkah). 143 x 70 mm. Paper.

Description: 50.00 MAD – Moroccan Dirham Size: 148 x 70 mm

Green, blue, and orange. Front: Arabic text; five-pointed star (Seal of Solomon) as registration device; kasbah buildings in southern Morocco; King Hassan II. Back: French text; stylized flowers; men with rifles on horseback; five-pointed star (Seal of Solomon). Solid security thread with printed Arabic text. Watermark: King Hassan II. Printer: (Dar As-Sikkah). 148 x 70 mm. Paper.

Description: 100.00 MAD – Moroccan Dirham Size: 153 x 75 mm

Brown. Front: Arabic text; five-pointed star (Seal of Solomon) as registration device; minaret of the Koutoubia mosque in Marrakech; King Hassan II. Back: French text; star constellation; geometric objects; dove and men holding flags and portraits of the king, participating in The Green March in Tarfaya in 1975; five-pointed star (Seal of Solomon). Solid security thread with printed Arabic text. Watermark: King Hassan II. Printer: (Dar As-Sikkah). 153 x 75 mm. Paper.

Description: 200.00 MAD – Moroccan Dirham Size: 158 x 75 mm

Blue, violet, and green. Front: Arabic text; five-pointed star (Seal of Solomon) as registration device; mausoleum of Mohammed V in Rabat; King Hassan II. Back: French text; Murex shellfish; coral; Arab sailing boat; five-pointed star (Seal of Solomon). Solid security thread with printed Arabic text. Watermark: King Hassan II. Printer: (Dar As-Sikkah). 158 x 75 mm. Paper.

1987 Issues

These notes were the first printed by Dar As-Sikkah, the bank’s industrial unit responsible for printing notes and minting coins. The 5-dirham note was replaced by a coin in 1980. The remaining denominations continue to bear the year of issue expressed in both Christian and Islamic (Hejira) dates, however the order has been reversed so that the Islamic year precedes the Christian year. Furthermore, Arabic characters are used in the serial number prefixes for the first time.

Description: 10.00 MAD – Moroccan Dirham Size: 143 x 70 mm

Red and brown. Front: Arabic text; five-pointed star (Seal of Solomon) as registration device; ablution pavilion of the Qaraouiyne mosque in Fès; King Hassan II. Back: French text; column top from the Medersa Attarine in Fès; lute (Moroccan oud) musical instrument; five-pointed star (Seal of Solomon). Solid security thread with printed Arabic text. Watermark: King Hassan II. Printer: (Dar As-Sikkah). 143 x 70 mm. Paper.

Description: 50.00 MAD – Moroccan Dirham Size: 148 x 70 mm

Green, blue, and orange. Front: Arabic text; five-pointed star (Seal of Solomon) as registration device; kasbah buildings in southern Morocco; King Hassan II. Back: French text; stylized flowers; men with rifles on horseback; five-pointed star (Seal of Solomon). Solid security thread with printed Arabic text. Watermark: King Hassan II. Printer: (Dar As-Sikkah). 148 x 70 mm. Paper.

Description: 100.00 MAD – Moroccan Dirham Size: 153 x 75 mm

Brown. Front: Arabic text; five-pointed star (Seal of Solomon) as registration device; minaret of the Koutoubia mosque in Marrakech; King Hassan II. Back: French text; star constellation; geometric objects; dove and men holding flags and portraits of the king, participating in The Green March in Tarfaya in 1975; five-pointed star (Seal of Solomon). Solid security thread with printed Arabic text. Watermark: King Hassan II. Printer: (Dar As-Sikkah). 153 x 75 mm. Paper.