Dirham - Sidi Mohammed III 1st Standard, Tetuan, type 1

Sidi Mohammed III standardized Moroccan silver coinage in the late 18th century as part of a broader commercial reform aimed at facilitating trade with European powers — Spain in particular, given Tetuan's proximity to the Strait and its role as the primary entrepôt for northern Moroccan commerce. The Tetuan mint operated intermittently, and output was never heavy; survivors attributable to this specific mint show considerable die variation, consistent with hand-preparation of working dies at a facility that was secondary to Fez and Marrakesh.