The museum, inaugurated on Wednesday, July 29, in the historic Kettanine district to coincide with Throne Day celebrations, is Bank Al-Maghrib’s second museum after its Rabat facility. The opening ceremony was presided over by the Wali of the Fez-Meknes region and Governor of Fez Prefecture, Khalid Ait Taleb.
Housed in the historic building that once served as Bank Al-Maghrib’s first headquarters in Fez, the museum forms part of the central bank’s broader efforts to preserve and promote Morocco’s monetary heritage.
The permanent exhibition traces the evolution of payment methods and currency in Morocco from antiquity to the modern era. Organized chronologically, the exhibition allows visitors to explore the major milestones in the kingdom’s monetary history while highlighting the historical, economic and institutional dimensions of currency development.
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The collection includes gold, silver and copper coins, banknotes and a range of historical monetary instruments. Together, the exhibits illustrate the richness of Morocco’s numismatic heritage, showcasing the artistic and technical craftsmanship behind coin production while reflecting the diverse influences that have shaped the country’s monetary history over the centuries.
Designed according to contemporary museum standards, the exhibition combines historical artifacts with interactive digital technologies and educational mediation tools tailored to visitors of all ages. Particular emphasis has been placed on providing an engaging and educational experience for younger generations.
Located within Fez’s UNESCO-listed medina, the museum also contributes to enhancing one of Morocco’s most significant historic sites while expanding the city’s cultural offering and strengthening Bank Al-Maghrib’s cultural presence across the country.
Speaking to the press, Rachid El Barnoussi, Director of Bank Al-Maghrib’s museums, said the new museum was designed to present Morocco’s history through its monetary heritage. He noted that the collection features coins and banknotes of exceptional historical and artistic value, covering periods from antiquity through successive Islamic dynasties to the Alaouite era.
He added that visitors will discover gold, silver and copper coins as well as banknotes displayed through a museum concept that combines scientific rigor, aesthetic presentation and the latest museum technologies. Interactive devices and digital tools, he said, offer visitors an immersive journey through Morocco’s monetary history.
El Barnoussi also invited residents of Fez, along with Moroccan and international visitors, to discover the new cultural venue housed in one of the medina’s landmark historic buildings.
Asmahan Boutakat, head of the Numismatic Studies Department at the Bank Al-Maghrib Museum, explained that the exhibition follows a chronological path beginning with the earliest forms of currency and extending to the contemporary issues produced during the reign of King Mohammed VI.
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She noted that special attention has been given to coins minted in Fez, highlighting the city’s historic role in Morocco’s monetary development through the display of pieces bearing the city’s name.
The Currency Museum officially opened to the public on July 30, offering visitors a new space for learning, discovery and dialogue centered on the history of money and its role in Morocco’s development.
