Morocco banknote - 50 cinquante francs - year 1949 - Arched ornamental gateways

Description

Moroccan franc
The franc (Arabic: فرنك‎) was the currency of French Morocco from 1921. It became the currency of all Morocco in 1957 and circulated until 1974. It was divided into 100 centimes (Arabic: سنتيم).
History
Before the first World War, the Moroccan rial was worth 5 French francs. However, after the war, the franc's value fell, such that when the franc replaced the rial, it was at a rate of 10 francs = 1 rial. The Moroccan franc was equal in value to the French franc. When Spanish Morocco was united with the rest of Morocco, the franc replaced the Spanish peseta at a rate of 1 peseta = 10 francs.
In 1960, the dirham was introduced. It was subdivided into 100 francs. The franc was replaced as the subdivision of the dirham by the centime in 1974.
Banknotes
The first Moroccan notes denominated in francs were issued between 1910 and 1917 and were also denominated in rial. Denominations were for 20 francs (4 rial) and 100 francs (20 rial). Although the franc only replaced the rial in 1921, notes were issued in francs from 1919. Emergency issues were made that year in denominations of 25 and 50 centimes, 1 and 2 francs.
Regular issues from the Banque d'Etat du Maroc were introduced between 1919 and 1923 in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 francs. 5000 francs notes appeared in 1938. Further emergency issues were made in 1944 for 50 centimes, 1 and 2 francs. After World War II, a final issue by the Banque d'Etat du Maroc was introduced between 1949 and 1953 in denominations of 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000 and 10,000 francs.
Front and back: Arched ornamental gateways. Watermark: Lion's head in profile. Predominant colour: Ecru.
Artists: A. Maillart (Design); E. Gaspé and C. Beltrand (Engravers). Printer: Banque de France (BdF).