Item: i108431

Authentic Coin of:

Morocco under Abd al-Hafid – Sultan: 1908-1912
1911 A.D. (1329 A.H.) Silver 1/4 Rial (2 1/2 Dirhams) 24mm (6.16 grams) 0.835 Silver (0.1678 oz. ASW)
Reference: Y# 23, Lec# 154
درٗهمَاںِ وَنصڢ ضرِبَ ببَارِيز 1329 , Lettering and date within doubled tri-lobe star.
المَسكوک الحڢيظى دَامَـ عزه رُبُع رِيال , Wreath with Six-point star atop.

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Abdelhafid of Morocco (Arabic: عبد الحفيظ بن الحسن العلوي) or Mulai Abdelhafid (24 February 1875 – 4 April 1937) (Arabic: عبد الحفيظ) was the Sultan of Morocco from 1908 to 1912 and a member of the Alaouite Dynasty. His younger brother, Abdelaziz of Morocco, preceded him. While Mulai Abdelhafid initially opposed his brother for giving some concessions to foreign powers, he himself became increasingly backed by the French and finally signed the protectorate treaty giving de facto control of the country to France.

After his brother Abdelaziz appointed him as caliph of Marrakesh, Abdelhafid sought to have him overthrown by fomenting distrust over Abdelaziz’s European ties. Abdelhafid was aided by Madani al-Glaoui, older brother of T’hami, one of the Caids of the Atlas. He was assisted in the training of his troops by Andrew Belton (Kaid), a British officer and veteran of the Second Boer War. In February 1908, Abdelhafid was proclaimed the Sultan of Fes. For a brief period, Abdelaziz reigned from Rabat while Abdelhafid reigned in Marrakesh and Fes. In August 1908 Abdelaziz was defeated in battle. In 1909, Abdelhafid became the recognized leader of Morocco.

Writing contemporaneously about his rule in 1909, George Frederick Andrews says that Abdelhafid “must play a very shrewd game. To maintain his authority over the tribes he must continue to appear decidedly anti-European in his feelings and his policy. On the other hand he must have money and the money must come from Europe. Also he knows that Morocco must submit to such reforms as have been decreed by the conference of the powers.”

 

In 1911, rebellion broke out against the Sultan. This led to the Agadir Crisis, also known as the Second Moroccan Crisis. These events led Abdelhafid to abdicate after signing the Treaty of Fes on 30 March 1912, which made Morocco a French protectorate. He signed his abdication only when on the quay in Rabat, with the ship that would take him to France already waiting. After an extended visit to France, where he received a great deal of attention from the press, he returned to Morocco and was exiled to the Dar el Makhzen (Sultanate Palace) in Tangier.

 

His brother Yusef was proclaimed Sultan by the French administration several months later (13 August 1912). Yusef was chosen by some dignitaries of Rabat which wasn’t the capital of Morocco at the time.

Muhammad al-Kattani, the influential Sufi poet and activist of Fes, was captured, tortured, and beaten to death in front of his wives and children in 1909.

In 1910, Lalla Batoul, a Fesi aristocrat and the wife of a former governor of Fes and supporter of Abdelaziz, was tortured. She was chained to the wall in a crucifixion position, completely naked with her breasts seized in a vice, and whipped and interrogated about the whereabouts of her husband’s fortune under the direct supervision of Abdelhafid. Walter Burton Harris reported on the incident in an article published in the Times of Morocco.

Following the Treaty of Fes and the establishment of the French protectorate in Morocco, Hubert Lyautey persuaded Abd al-Hafid to abdicate against the payment of a massive pension. While his successor Yusef escaped the instability in Fez and relocated to the Dar al-Makhzen palace in Rabat, Abd al-Hafid chose to live in Tangier where he used part of his pension to build an opulent mansion, the Moulay Hafid Palace, completed in 1914. The complex was later purchased by Italian interest and is now also known as the “Palace of Italian Institutions” (French: palais des institutions italiennes).

Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. Geographically, Morocco is characterized by a rugged mountainous interior and large portions of desert. It is one of only three countries (with Spain and France) to have both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines. The Arabic name al-Mamlakah al-Maghribiyah (Arabic: المملكة المغربية‎, meaning “The Western Kingdom”) and Al-Maghrib (Arabic: المغرب‎, meaning “The West”) are commonly used as alternate names.

Morocco has a population of over 33.8 million and an area of 446,550 km² (172,410 sq mi). Its political capital is Rabat. The largest city is Casablanca. Other major cities include Marrakesh, Tangier, Tetouan, Salé, Fes, Agadir, Meknes, Oujda, Kenitra, and Nador. A historically prominent regional power, Morocco has a history of independence not shared by its neighbours. Its distinct culture is a blend of Arab, indigenous Berber, Sub-Saharan African, and European influences.

Morocco claims the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara as its Southern Provinces. Morocco annexed the territory in 1975, leading to a guerrilla war with indigenous forces until a cease-fire in 1991. Peace processes have thus far failed to break the political deadlock.

Morocco is a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament. The King of Morocco holds vast executive and legislative powers, especially over the military, foreign policy and religious affairs. Executive power is exercised by the government, while legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament, the Assembly of Representatives and the Assembly of Councillors. The king can issue decrees called dahirs which have the force of law. He can also dissolve the parliament after consulting the Prime Minister and the president of the Constitutional court.

Morocco’s predominant religion is Islam, and the official languages are Arabic and Berber. Moroccan Arabic, referred to as Darija, and French are also widely spoken. Morocco is an influential member of the Arab League and a part of the Union for the Mediterranean. It has the sixth-largest economy in Africa.