
The Moroccan Dirham is the official currency of Morocco, and it's made up of coins and banknotes. The coins come in various denominations, including 1, 2, 5, and 10 dirhams.
You can find these coins in circulation throughout Morocco, and they're widely accepted as payment. The 1 dirham coin is the smallest denomination, and it's a great option for small purchases.
One of the most interesting things about Moroccan Dirham coins is that they're made from a combination of metals, including copper and nickel. This gives them a distinctive look and feel.
The coins are also designed with security features to prevent counterfeiting, including raised printing and micro-lettering.
Intriguing read: Morocco Dirhams
Design and Features
The Moroccan dirham coins have undergone significant changes over the years, reflecting the country's rich history and cultural heritage.
The official currency of Morocco, the dirham, has its origins dating back to the Idrisi dynasty between the 8th and 10th centuries. The modern coin was introduced in 1882.
The dirham coins feature a range of designs, including the portrait of King Mohammed VI, who has been the king of Morocco since 1999. Each of the notes shows a Moroccan door to the left of the portrait, symbolizing the country's architectural heritage and openness.
The 1 dirham coin features King Mohammed VI, while the 5 dirham coin showcases the Hassan II mosque with a security feature. The 10 dirham coin features Mohammed VI (earlier issues show Hassan II) and Boumalne Dades with a security feature.
Here's a summary of the technical parameters of the 2012 dirham coins:
The dirham coins have undergone significant changes over the years, with new designs and security features being introduced to prevent counterfeiting.
Denominations
The Moroccan dirham coins come in a variety of denominations, making it easy to break down your expenses into manageable chunks.
One of the smallest denominations is the cent, which is divided into 10 and 20 cents. These coins are great for making small purchases or as change.
The dirham coins are available in 1/2 dirham, 1, 5, and 10 dirhams. The 1/2 dirham coin is made of cupronickel and features a design representing fish in the ocean.
The 1 dirham coin is a bit larger, measuring 24 mm in diameter and weighing 6 grams. It's made of cupronickel and features a portrait of Mohammed VI.
The 5 dirham coin is a bit more substantial, measuring 25 mm in diameter and weighing 7.5 grams. It's a bi-metal coin with a cupronickel ring and a center made of 70% copper, 24.5% zinc, and 5.5% nickel.
Here's a breakdown of the different dirham coins:
The 10 dirham coin is the largest of the dirham coins, measuring 28 mm in diameter and weighing 12 grams. It's a bi-metal coin with an aluminium bronze ring and a cupronickel center.
Currency and Banknotes
The Moroccan dirham is the official currency of Morocco, and it's divided into 100 centimes.
You can exchange your money for dirhams at a bank or currency exchange office, or withdraw cash from an ATM using your debit or credit card.
One dirham is equivalent to 100 centimes, making it a straightforward conversion to remember.
5

The 5 dirham coin is a small denomination, equivalent to about 43 euro cents in Spanish currency suppliers as of June 2023.
The coin features the effigy of King Mohammed VI on the obverse side, giving it a personal touch.
The reverse side of the 5 dirham coin showcases the impressive Hassan II Mosque of Casablanca, an iconic Moroccan landmark.
You can expect to receive a small amount of change if you're exchanging 5 dirham for euros, roughly equivalent to one euro or less.
Interestingly, the 10 MAD note from 1987, bearing the effigy of Hassan II, would also be worth a similarly small amount, less than one euro.
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10
The 10 dirham coin is a small but significant part of Morocco's currency system. It shows the effigy of King Mohammed VI on the obverse.
This coin's reverse features a representation of the city of Qalaat MGouna, a spectacular city in the province of Tinghir. It's located between Ourzazate and Tinejdad.
Its equivalent value in euros is a mere 86 euro cents, as of June 2023.
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Banknotes

The Central Bank of Morocco, known as Bank Al-Maghrib, is responsible for issuing banknotes in the country.
The banknotes are issued by the Central Bank of Morocco, which is a trusted institution in Morocco.
Bank Al-Maghrib has been the authority on currency in Morocco since its establishment.
The Central Bank of Morocco is also in charge of producing the Moroccan passport, a task it has handled since 1987.
Banknotes are an essential part of any country's currency system, and in Morocco, they play a vital role in facilitating transactions.
Related reading: Coins from Morocco
Regulations
You'll need to be mindful of the regulations when dealing with Moroccan dirhams, especially when traveling. It's prohibited to withdraw more than 2,000 dirhams in coins or banknotes from the country.
Before you leave Morocco, you'll need to exchange your remaining dirhams at a Moroccan currency supplier or bank. They'll ask for your flight boarding pass if you're selling up to 2,000 MAD.
If you're selling an amount greater than 2,000 MAD, be prepared to justify the origin of those dirhams. You'll need to provide an extract from an ATM or a bank receipt for the extraction of those dirhams from your account, or a sales invoice that justifies the origin of that money.
Moroccan residents have a different set of rules, with an annual limit of exchanging up to MAD 45,000, known as the "dotation touristique".
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