Description
The ouguiya is the official currency of Mauritania since 1973 when it replaced the CFA franc. The name is the Hassaniya Arabic pronunciation of “uqiyyah”, which means “ounce”. In 1973, The Central Bank of Mauritania (Banque Centrale de Mauritanie) issued notes in denominations of 1⁄5 (1 khoums), 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 ouguiya. In 2017, The Central Bank of Mauritania (Banque Centrale de Mauritanie) announced a redenomination of the ouguiya and the second series of coins were issued with the same denominations before.
The 20 Mauritanian ouguiya coin front design features the National Seal of Mauritania (consists of the crescent moon and the Mauritanian flag star) with a palm tree and a millet plant superimposed. The borders say “Islamic Republic of Mauritania” in the Arabic and French languages) and the issue date in Islamic Calendar. The denomination and lettering of this side of the coin are presented in the Arabic language. The reverse coin design illustrates a mother camel and its calf and the issue date in Gregorian Calendar. The denomination and lettering of this side of the coin are presented in the French language. This coin is part of the 1439 1440 (2017 – 2018) series, its rim is plain, and its color is silver and gold.
Text: The Islamic Republic of Mauritania, 1439, 20 Ouguiya, 2017, 20 Ouguiya.