-
Inventory:
28 In Stock
- Product ID: 56929
Checkout
The Morocco 5 Francs silver coin issued between 1928 and 1933, cataloged as Y#37, represents a significant artifact from the French protectorate era. This coin reflects both the cultural fusion of Moroccan design elements and the French colonial influence that shaped its production and circulation. Struck in .835 fine silver, it served as an essential denomination in everyday commerce during a period of growing modernization under colonial rule. With its intricate Islamic motifs and dual-language inscriptions, the coin is a vivid symbol of a hybrid political and cultural identity. In Extra Fine to About Uncirculated (XF–AU) condition, the coin maintains much of its original beauty, detailing, and collector appeal.
Following the establishment of the French protectorate over Morocco in 1912, the French administration introduced a new monetary system that aligned more closely with France's own currency infrastructure. However, in order to gain acceptance among the local population, Moroccan coinage retained many indigenous design elements. The 5 Francs silver coin, introduced in 1928, was part of this carefully balanced approach—presenting French denominations while retaining Moroccan artistic and linguistic traditions. This coin remained in circulation until the early 1940s, but silver strikes like the Y#37 issue only spanned from 1928 to 1933.
The obverse of the coin features intricate Arabic calligraphy surrounded by ornate geometric and floral designs, representative of Islamic artistry. The central field bears the denomination "5 Francs" written in Arabic, along with the date expressed in both the Islamic Hijri calendar and the Gregorian calendar, typically appearing as "1347–1928" or other combinations within the coin's production window. This bilingual dating system reflects the colonial practice of acknowledging both European and local timelines. The calligraphy is deeply struck and framed by a symmetrical, star-like design incorporating stylized vinework, forming a decorative medallion that commands attention.
The reverse side of the coin contains a similar design pattern, this time centered around Latin inscriptions that state the denomination "5 FRANCS" and the issuing authority, "EMPIRE CHERIFIEN." The term “Empire Chérifien” referred to the Moroccan sultanate under French control and was used in French colonial nomenclature. Surrounding the legend is a border of repeating geometric and vegetal motifs, which echo the Islamic design philosophy of balance, repetition, and abstraction. The coin’s overall aesthetic avoids figural imagery, in keeping with Islamic art traditions, and favors ornamental complexity to convey elegance and national identity.
The 5 Francs coin is struck in .835 fine silver, with a diameter of 30 millimeters and a weight of approximately 12.5 grams. It possesses a reeded edge and a solid, well-balanced feel in hand. These specifications placed it on par with similar silver denominations from the French colonial empire and ensured consistency in trade and circulation. Despite being a colonial issue, the coin’s design is heavily localized, making it distinctive among world silver coinage of the period. Its silver content also provided intrinsic value, which helped secure public trust in the new monetary system during a time of economic transformation and colonial consolidation.
Minting of this coin occurred in Paris at the Monnaie de Paris, the official mint of France. The mint’s high production standards ensured consistent quality, with strong strikes and well-defined features on most coins, especially in their earlier years of issue. The series includes various date combinations, with the 1928 issue being the inaugural year. Some coins from later years are overdates, although most examples are simply dated within the 1928–1933 range. Collectors pay close attention to minor date variations and overstrikes, as these can influence rarity and value.
In terms of mintage, these coins were produced in significant quantities for circulation, with millions struck across the various dates. However, due to widespread use in everyday transactions, many surviving specimens exhibit considerable wear. Coins in higher grades such as XF and AU are far less common and increasingly desirable, especially those retaining strong detail in the geometric borders and Arabic inscriptions. The silver content also led to many examples being melted over time, further reducing the number of high-quality survivors available on the market today.
A coin in Extra Fine (XF) condition will exhibit moderate wear on the highest points of the design, such as the calligraphic lettering and the floral borders, but most features remain sharp and clearly legible. Luster may be partially present in protected areas, and the overall appearance is pleasing, with minimal distracting marks. In About Uncirculated (AU) condition, only slight trace wear is visible on the highest devices, and much of the original mint luster remains intact. These coins often have sharp edges, full legends, and bright surfaces that catch the eye, especially when well preserved and properly stored.
Collectors value the 5 Francs 1928–1933 Y#37 coin not only for its artistic beauty and silver composition but also for its historical significance. It encapsulates the complex relationship between France and Morocco, with a coin that is unmistakably Moroccan in appearance, yet firmly rooted in the colonial framework. The deliberate fusion of French and Moroccan elements offers insight into the era’s socio-political dynamics and serves as a tangible representation of cultural negotiation under imperial rule.
The cultural identity expressed through the coin’s design also makes it a favorite among collectors of Islamic art and world silver coinage. Its symmetrical layout, rich engraving, and seamless integration of script and ornamentation distinguish it from Western-style coinage of the same period. Additionally, the presence of Arabic and Latin scripts on a single coin reflects the multilingual and multicultural reality of North Africa under French influence—making it a compelling study in cross-cultural design and political symbolism.
The Morocco 5 Francs 1928–1933 Y#37 silver coin in XF to AU condition offers both aesthetic richness and historical depth. It represents a colonial era defined by control and resistance, cultural blending, and economic modernization. With its intricate Islamic motifs, fine silver content, and strong strike, the coin remains an enduring testament to Morocco’s artistic heritage and its colonial-era complexities. For numismatists, historians, and collectors of Islamic or French colonial coinage, this piece stands out as both a visual masterpiece and a historical document rendered in precious metal.