Morocco AH 1195 mitqal
Prior to the coinage reform of 1889, Moroccan coins were either hammered or cast, and counterfeits abounded. What was lacking in local coins was made up for by the circulation of large quantities of foreign silver currency. Shown is a ten dirham silver hammered coin. It was issued under Mohammed III (1757-1790 AD). This specimen was lot 30276 in Heritage sale 3040 (Chicago, April 2015), where it sold for $4,700. The catalog description[1] noted, "Muhammed III Mitqal (10 Dirhams) AH1195 (1781) MS63 NGC, Tetuan mint. A captivating issue featuring detailed inscriptions on both the obverse and reverse, with gunmetal patina and subtle, underlying pastel iridescence. Readily apparent devices are fully-raised and at present time this selection is also notable for being the only mint-state certified example of this one-year type. Virtually incomparable in every way and rare as such."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specifications: 29.31 g, silver.
Catalog reference: KM 37.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage Signature Auction 3040, featuring the Santa Maria, the Alan Dean and the Valley View Life Collections, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2015.
- Gadoury, Victor, and George Cousinié, Monnaies Coloniales Françaises, 1670-1988, 2me Éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 1988.
- Sanchez-Giron, J.M., Monedas de Marruecos, Ceuta, Spain: J.M. Sanchez-Giron, 1972.
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