On July 30, 2024, the Central Bank of Morocco (Bank Al-Maghrib) announced that effective immediately, a new Morocco 50 Dirhams will begin to circulate. This is a completely redesigned banknote for the new generation of Moroccan Dirhams. However, it does still have some style elements reminiscent of the old generations. The introduction of this new 50 Dirhams banknote also coincides with the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the enthronement of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
Before we introduce the new 50 Dirhams banknote let’s review some of the previous generation standard circulation 50 Dirhams banknotes. An early example is the Morocco 50 Dirhams, 2002. It is a green and yellow banknote. Its obverse side features King Mohammed VI and a view of the Mohammed V Dam on Moulouya River. Its reverse side shows adobe buildings (ksour), a star morphing into a drop of water, a sunflower, a wheat stalk, a vase, and a bowl. Security features include olive leaves registration device, a solid security thread with a demetalized 50 and Arabic text, and a watermark of King Mohammed VI with an electrotype 50.
The Morocco 50 Dirhams, 2012 is part of the outgoing banknote family. It is green, yellow, and blue in color. The obverse side shows an Arabic text, denomination numerals as a registration device, a Moroccan door, the coat of arms, King Mohammed VI, and a crown with a five-pointed star (Seal of Solomon). The reverse side features a French text, the Ouzoud Falls, an Argan tree, a fruit and a falcon, and denomination numerals as a registration device. This banknote uses a color-shifting windowed security thread with demetalized 50 and Bank Al-Maghrib in Arabic It contains a watermark with a King Mohammed VI and an electro-type 50 design.
The theme that this new Morocco 50 Dirhams banknote follows is sustainable development in Morocco via clean energy and the protection of natural resources. The banknote is colored in shades of green with a few hints of yellow and blue. The obverse side features a portrait of his majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco. In addition, you can find the Moroccan coat of arms, an architectural pattern inspired from Moroccan portals and stylized view of Ouzoud Falls. On the reverse side you can find of the NOOR solar power plant in Ouarzazate, wind turbines and the Ouirgane dam and Agadir seawater desalination plant. What do you think about this new Moroccan banknote?
