Moroccan dirham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Moroccan dirham |
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| ISO 4217 Code | MAD | ||
| User(s) |  Morocco
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| Inflation | 0.2% | ||
| Source | The World Factbook, 2019 est. | ||
| Pegged with | 60% EUR and 40% USD | ||
| Subunit | |||
| 1⁄20 | rial (informal) | ||
| 1⁄100 | santim (official) franc (informal) |
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| Symbol | DH | ||
| santim (official) franc (informal) |
santimat | ||
| Coins | ½, 1, 2, 5 & 10 dirhams | ||
| Rarely used | 1, 5, 10, & 20 santimat | ||
| Banknotes | 20, 50, 100, 200 dirhams | ||
The Moroccan dirham is the official currency of Morocco. Its short sign is DH, and bankers use the code MAD. The main bank in charge of this money is Bank Al-Maghrib, which is the central bank of Morocco.
Just like one dollar splits into 100 cents, one Moroccan dirham splits into 100 smaller pieces called santimat. When people talk about just one piece, they call it a santim. People use these colorful coins and paper bills every day to buy food, toys, and books.
Contents
How the Moroccan Dirham Began
Money in Morocco has a very long and exciting story. Long ago, people traded using different kinds of metals.
Ancient Roots and the Greek Drachma
The word dirham comes from a very old Greek coin called the drachma. Traders sailed across the Mediterranean Sea and shared both goods and words. Many centuries ago, rulers of the Idrisid dynasty minted shiny silver coins called the Idrissid dirham. These circulated across North Africa between the 8th and 10th centuries.
Old Coins: Falus, Dirham, and Benduqi
Before modern machines made coins in 1882, Morocco had three main types of money:
- Copper coins known as the falus
- Silver coins called the dirham
- Shiny gold coins called the benduqi
In 1882, the kingdom changed its money system. Ten silver dirhams made up one large Moroccan rial.
From French Francs Back to Dirhams
In 1912, Morocco became a French protectorate. Because of this, it started using the Moroccan franc.
Morocco brought back the dirham on 16 October 1960 to celebrate its national pride. For a while, people used both francs and dirhams together. Finally, in 1974, the modern santim officially replaced the old franc.
Shiny Coins of Morocco
Morocco makes coins in many sizes, shapes, and metals. The state mint, called Dar As-Sikkah, creates them with great care.
Metal Mixes and Calendars
In 1960, the government made 1 dirham coins from real silver. Later, they used metals like cupronickel and brass. In 1987, Morocco made its first bi-metal coin. A bi-metal coin has an outer ring of one metal and an inner center of another.
These coins often show two different years for their minting date. One is from the Gregorian calendar, used around the world. The other is from the Islamic calendar, based on the moon.
Nature and Wildlife on Coins
The 2011 coin collection showed off Morocco's wonderful nature:
- The 10 santimat coin showed a hardworking Bee next to a fragrant saffron flower.
- The 20 santimat coin pictured gentle Water lilies to remind people to save water.
- The 1⁄2 dirham coin showed a swimming Fish and ocean coral to teach kids about protecting sea life.
- The 1 dirham coin displayed the proud Coat of arms of Morocco.
- The 5 dirham coin featured the famous Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca.
- The 10 dirham coin showed the desert fortress city of Kalaat M'Gouna.
Modern Wonders on Recent Coins
In late 2023, the central bank launched a brand-new series of coins. These designs celebrate modern science and Moroccan culture:
- The 10 santimat coin features farming and olives.
- The 20 santimat coin shows clean energy like tall wind turbines and solar panels.
- The 1⁄2 dirham coin celebrates beautiful handmade Moroccan jewelry.
- The 1 dirham coin features the royal Coat of arms of Morocco.
- The 5 dirham coin highlights the city of Laayoune in Western Sahara.
- The 10 dirham coin celebrates modern travel, showing the huge Mohammed VI Bridge and a speedy train.
Colorful Banknotes and Secret Features
Paper money in Morocco is famous for bright colors, royal portraits, and incredible safety tricks that stop cheaters.
Faces of the Kings
Most Moroccan banknotes feature pictures of the country's monarchs. You can often see King Mohammed VI, his father King Hassan II, and his grandfather King Mohammed V.
The bills also show lovely arched doorways. In Moroccan culture, open doors welcome guests and show that the country is open to the whole world.
High-Tech Security Tricks
Making paper money requires clever science. Bank Al-Maghrib uses high-tech materials to keep money safe:
- Watermarks: Hidden pictures you can only see when you hold the note up to the light.
- Color-shifting ink: Special threads that change from bright magenta to green when you tilt the bill.
- Durasafe layers: In 2012, Morocco made a special 25-dirham note using Durasafe. It sandwiches tough plastic between two layers of paper.
- Clear windows: See-through plastic windows stamped with royal crests right in the middle of the bill.
- Polymer plastic: In 2019, Morocco printed a special 20-dirham note on smooth, waterproof plastic instead of paper.
Amazing Places on Banknotes
Banknotes take you on a fun tour of Morocco:
- 20 Dirhams: Shows great learning centers like the ancient University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fes, alongside the historic clay fortress of Aït Benhaddou.
- 50 Dirhams: Shows the giant waterfalls at Ouzoud Falls, green argan trees, and clean water stations.
- 100 Dirhams: Features Sahara desert life with Sahrawi tents, majestic camels, and the sunny coast.
- 200 Dirhams: Highlights sea travel, showing giant cargo ships, the Marrakesh Menara Airport, and the soaring Mohammed VI Tower.
Market Nicknames for Money
When you visit an outdoor market in Morocco, you might hear shoppers use unusual words for prices. These nicknames come from older money systems.
The Rial and the Franc
Many shopkeepers still talk in rials. One rial equals 5 santimat. If a small toy costs 20 rials, that means it costs 1 dirham.
Older people also use the word franc, where 100 francs equal 1 dirham. In Moroccan markets, shoppers switch between Moroccan Arabic and the French language easily.
Moroccan Dirham Around the World
Morocco connects its currency to two major world currencies: the European euro and the United States dollar. The value stays stable to help local companies buy and sell goods abroad.
In northern Africa, near the Spanish coastal city of Ceuta, shopkeepers often accept Moroccan dirhams right alongside the euro. Today, the dirham stands as a proud symbol of Morocco's rich past and bright future.
See Also
- Economy of Morocco
- United Arab Emirates dirham
