Please Help Me Identify This Coin

[Drakon86-migration]

About 1 1/2 ago I was given a bag of coins that were bought at an antique shop for like $5. Most of the coins were from from france and italy. But I found this one coin that I am clueless about. Somehow I figured out it was moroccan but I dont know that for sure. There is almost no writing on it, I have searched on google and ebay to try to figure out where it is from and if it is worth anything, but i found nothing. The front only says 1340 and the back only says 10. There is also some arabian like writing on it. I understand this coin is not from 1340 as we know it but 1340 on like a middle eastern calender. At least I think. Below are some pictures.

Please tell me where this is from and any other info you may know.

Thanks,

Greg

[gmarguli]

Your coin is from Morocco. It is a 10 Muzunas. AH1340 = 1921 or thereabout. Looks to be around EF in grade. I don't have a catalog with me, but I'd guess it catalogs around $5 in the grade.

[Drakon86-migration]

That was fast, Thanks.

[cpm9ball]

Interesting, Greg.

 

I have one with a similar star, but it is a "white" metal. Each leg of the star is wider and alternates over one leg, then under the next. An "incuse" line is centered in each leg and follows the same over/under pattern. Three words are in English around the bottom half of the perimeter. "EMPIRE" between the westernmost and southwestern points of the star; "MAROC." (Morocco) between the southwestern and southeastern points; between the southeastern and easternmost points is the word "CHERIFIEN" which I assume is French. There is also writing between the three northernmost which I assume is Arabic.

 

The other side has "2 Francs" in the center flanked by "1951" to the left and "1370" to the right. More Arabic writing completes the perimeter design, top and bottom. Along the rim starting at 9 o'clock and proceeding counterclockwise is the name, "J. HAINAUT" (?), who I assume is the designer.

 

Greg, can you tell me the meaning or significance of "CHERIFIEN"? Do you know the English translation of the Arabic? Who is "J. HAINAUT"?

 

Thanks,

 

Chris

[gmarguli]

I looked the original coin up in the catalog. It's Y-29.1 in the Krause and it catalogs at $7.50 in EF.

[gmarguli]

Chris,

 

Your coin appears to be Y-47, which as you know is a 1951 (AH1370) 2F. It was struck in aluminum and has a mintage of 20,000,000. It catalogs at $.50 in EF & $2 in unc.

 

I'm not sure what CHERIFIEN means. It's not a French word that I recognize, but that is true for a lot of them. I'd guess that Empire Maroc Cherifien is a way of identifying that this was a French Protectorate.

 

J. HAINAUT is likely the designer, but I don't know for sure.

[satootoko]

I'd guess that Empire Maroc Cherifien is a way of identifying that this was a French Protectorate.

Good guess Greg.

 

A website specializing in Morrocan coins says:

From 1912 to 1956 Morocco was under French (and Spanish) protection, although the only coins issued for Morocco were those for the French Protectorate, which was shown in French as "Empire Cherifien" or "Empire Maroc Cherefien".[/unquote]

[cpm9ball]

I'd guess that Empire Maroc Cherifien is a way of identifying that this was a French Protectorate.

Good guess Greg.

 

A website specializing in Morrocan coins says:

From 1912 to 1956 Morocco was under French (and Spanish) protection, although the only coins issued for Morocco were those for the French Protectorate, which was shown in French as "Empire Cherifien" or "Empire Maroc Cherefien".[/unquote]

 

Thanks! I still wish I knew what the Arabic writing meant. It's all Greek to me!

 

I wouldn't mind dating some Japanese.

 

Chris