Musée de la Monnaie – Bank Al-Maghrib, Rabat

The Musée de la Monnaie, or Currency Museum, is one of the most distinctive cultural institutions in Rabat and a remarkable hidden gem within Morocco’s museum landscape. Managed by the Bank Al-Maghrib, Morocco’s central bank, the museum is housed within the bank’s historic headquarters near the Kasbah des Oudayas in central Rabat. It presents a sweeping narrative of the history of money and exchange in Morocco, spanning over three millennia from ancient Phoenician and Punic coinage through the Roman, medieval Islamic, and modern eras up to the present day. The collection of numismatic objects is exceptional in its scope and quality, featuring thousands of coins, banknotes, seals, and monetary instruments that chart the successive dynasties and political transformations of Morocco. Among the highlights are rare Idrisid dinars from the 8th century, Merinid and Saadian gold coins of extraordinary craftsmanship, colonial-era currency from the French and Spanish Protectorate periods, and the full series of Moroccan dirham notes and coins issued since independence. The museum also explores the broader context of monetary exchange in Moroccan economic history, with thematic sections dedicated to the role of gold and silver trade across the Sahara, the Jewish mellah economy, and the introduction of modern banking. Beyond its numismatic collections, the museum occasionally hosts art exhibitions and cultural events relating to the heritage of money and exchange in Moroccan society. Admission is free and the museum provides a richly educational and visually engaging visit.