Over the decades, Moroccan banknotes have reflected the country's evolving identity, from agriculture and the role of women in the workforce to the historic Green March. Each note serves as a tribute to Morocco's rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship, celebrating everything from centuries-old landmarks to modern infrastructure. After gaining independence from the French protectorate, Morocco reclaimed its sovereign right to issue currency. This responsibility was entrusted to a newly created national institution, Bank Al-Maghrib, officially established on July 1, 1959. That same year, Morocco introduced its new national currency: the dirham. The first banknotes to be issued were in 5- and 10-dirham denominations. These notes reflected the spirit of a nation stepping into a new era, aspiring to growth and bearing the responsibilities of building a strong, independent country. Agriculture to build the country The banknotes issued in the 1960s and 1970s tell that story. A close look reveals a clear focus on agriculture and related industries. The back of the 10-dirham note issued in 1970, for instance, features a painting of a woman working in an orange processing and packaging factory. Veiled, with her sleeves rolled up, she symbolizes the role of women in the workforce, a powerful image for the 1970s, underscoring that nation-building rested on the shoulders of both men and women. The front of that same note remains true to Morocco's enduring traditions, depicting King Hassan II alongside a view of Andalusian gardens, specifically, the Jardins Andalous of the Oudayas, as well as the Oudaya Kasbah and the Museum of Moroccan Arts. Oranges, a symbol of Moroccan agriculture, appear on more than one banknote in the country's currency history. A 10-dirham note from 1960 features workers harvesting oranges in a bustling field, while the front of the note bears a portrait of King Mohammed V and a view of the Hassan Mosque in Rabat. Agriculture's central role in Morocco's economy is echoed in another banknote from 1969. The 5-dirham note, featuring King Mohammed V and a view of the Fes medina, shows on its reverse a wheat field with farming equipment and a farmer standing on the right holding a bouquet of freshly harvested wheat. From field to factory: a 5-dirham banknote from the 1970s includes a portrait of King Hassan II and a scene of the Kasbah at Ksar Aït Benhaddou. Flip it over, and you'll find a depiction of a functioning vegetable processing plant. The Green March, heritage, identity Banknotes from this era also moved beyond agriculture and labor to make broader cultural and political statements. In 1987, Morocco issued a 100-dirham note themed around the Moroccan Sahara, commemorating the 1975 Green March. The note features a reproduction of a painting by Moroccan artist Ahmed Ben Yessef of the Green March. The depiction also features a dove flying over the marching and carrying a copy of the Quran. Other 1987 notes explored cultural themes, architectural beauty, and regional identity, each shade reflecting an element of Morocco: purple for the city, green for the land, blue for the sea. A 10-dirham note from that series features King Hassan II with a backdrop of the Ablution Lodge of the Qarawiyyin Mosque in all its architectural splendor. The back of the note pays homage to Andalusian culture with an image of a lute and a column from the Attarine Madrasa in Fes, Morocco's cultural capital. A 50-dirham note from the same period celebrates tbourida, the traditional equestrian performance also known as fantasia, adorned with wheat ears as symbols of prosperity. The front displays a portrait of King Hassan II alongside the distinctive earthen kasbahs of southern Morocco. From star to dove, open book, and drop of water This spirit of honoring Moroccan artisans and landmarks continued with the 1996 series, notably the 20-dirham banknote featuring the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. The reddish-brown note includes a portrait of King Hassan II and a view of the newly constructed mosque. On the back, it highlights the mosque's wall fountain, showcasing its stunning design and exceptional craftsmanship. This tribute persisted even after King Mohammed VI ascended the throne in the late 1990s. Banknotes issued in 2005 featured views of Bab Chellah, zellige panel designs, and ornaments inspired by Moroccan agriculture. A recurring element in these designs is the five-pointed star, Morocco's emblem and a central feature of its flag, transformed on the back of the banknotes into symbolic shapes. On the 2005 20-dirham note, for instance, the star morphs into an open book. The 2002 series also embraced this symbolism. The 50-dirham banknote, which bears a portrait of King Mohammed VI and an image of the Mohammed V Dam, depicts earthen buildings (ksour) on the reverse, where the five-pointed star transforms into a water droplet, symbolizing the dam's importance. The 100-dirham note from the same series features another tribute to the Green March, where the star becomes a flying dove. On the 200-dirham note, themed around the sea, the star is reimagined as a seashell, placed next to an illustration of a window from the Hassan II Mosque's theological school and a lighthouse. Recent banknotes have shifted focus to highlight Morocco's modern landmarks, infrastructure, and venues. The 20-dirham note released in 2024, for instance, features the Grand Theatre of Rabat, designed by the renowned architect Zaha Hadid, as well as a national stadium. Other examples include the Tanger Med Port, which is prominently depicted on a 100-dirham banknote.
