Catalog
50 Centimes
| Issuer | Empire Chérifien |
|---|---|
| Year | 1944 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 50 Centimes (0.50) |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | DAHIR DU 5 AVRIL 1944 / CINQUANTE CENTIMES / LE CONTREFACTEUR EST PUNI DES TRAVAUX FORCES / خمسون سنتيما / L. SCHULTZ |
| Reverse description | Printed in red on cream paper, the reverse carries a central vignette of the main gate of the Kasbah of the Udayas in Rabat, rendered in fine line engraving with flanking towers and surrounding architectural detail. The bilingual authority legend 'EMPIRE CHERIFIEN / PROTECTORAT DE LA REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE' appears at the upper centre, with the denomination '50c' at upper right and repeated in circular cartouches at the corners. Arabic text occupies the lower register, and the designer's name 'L. SCHULTZ' is present at the lower left. |
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| Comments |
The Empire Chérifien notes of 1944 were emergency issues produced under the French Protectorate administration during the Allied occupation period, when metal coinage had effectively disappeared from circulation across North Africa. The 50 Centimes (Pick 41) belongs to a fractional series that filled the void left by hoarded and melted coins — a chronic problem across the Maghreb throughout the war years.
At 40 × 30 mm, this is among the smallest paper money issued under the Moroccan protectorate. Notes of this series are frequently found with handling damage; their pocket-sized format and low denomination meant they circulated hard before being discarded.