Morocco 1983 500 dirhams

from the Stack's Bowers June 2021 Collector's Choice sale, lot 72511

This specimen was lot 72511 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, June 2021), where it sold for $1,440. The catalog description^[1] noted, "MOROCCO. 500 Dirhams, 1983. NGC PROOF-68 Ultra Cameo. Struck to commemorate the birthday of King Hassan. An attractive Proof with hard mirrored fields and frosted cameo devices." This type was struck 1979-93 then superseded by Y134 (1000 dirhams). We're not sure it was a birthday issue.

Recorded mintage: 2,500 including proofs.

Specification: 12.90 g, 0.900 fine gold (same module as an old French 40 francs).

Catalog reference: Fr-7; KM-Y71.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
• ^[1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The June 2021 Collector's Choice sale: World and Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.

Link to:

• AH 1399/1979 50 dirhams, Green March
• AH 1399/1979 500 dirhams
• AH 1400/1980 50 dirmans, 5th Anniversary of the Green March
• AH 1405/1985 100 dirhams, 6th Panarab Sports Games-Olympics
• AH 1406/1985 100 dirhams, 10th Anniversary of the Green March
• Coins and currency dated 1983