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Dirham - Sidi Mohammed III 1st Standard, Essaouira
| Issuer | Morocco |
|---|---|
| Year | 1769-1770 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
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| Obverse description | Within a double circular border, the mint name of Essaouira (Mogador) is inscribed in Arabic script, accompanied by the AH date expressed in numerals. A beaded grenetis frames the inner legend, consistent with the hammered coinage style of the Alaouite dynasty under Sultan Sidi Mohammed III. |
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| Reverse script | Arabic |
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| Additional information |
Sidi Mohammed III founded Essaouira in 1765 as a purpose-built Atlantic port, partly to redirect Moroccan trade away from Agadir and partly to tighten royal control over European merchants — particularly the British, French, and Danish traders he wanted dealing on his terms. The mint established there was operational almost immediately, making this dirham among the earliest coinage struck at a city that was itself only a few years old when these dies were cut.
The "1st Standard" designation marks a brief window before metrology was adjusted. Examples attributable to Essaouira's earliest mint phase turn up infrequently in Western collections.