Khoums: The Rare Non-Decimal Coin of Mauritania

Illustrated Specimen Details: Islamic Republic of Mauritania 1 Khoums

Example Specimen: 1 Khoums (1/5 ouguiya), 1973 (Islamic Republic of Mauritania)

Iconography & Origin: This bilingual coin features legends in both French and Arabic (the two official languages of Mauritania). The obverse displays the inscription BANQUE CENTRALE DE MAURITANIE surrounding the national seal. The seal's elements are deeply symbolic: the crescent and star represent Islam, the palm and millet symbolize agriculture and the country's geographical location in the Sahara, while the overall design honors the bloodshed for independence. The reverse features a prominent fractional denomination 1/5 and the Arabic text البنك المركزي الموريتاني (Central Bank of Mauritania) along with خمس (khoums).

Minting Details: The date is presented in the Islamic calendar as AH 1393 (١٣٩٣), which corresponds to 1973 in the Gregorian calendar. This lightweight aluminum piece was struck at the Kremnica Mint in Slovakia with a mintage of 1,000,000.

1. ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF MAURITANIA (1973-...): 1 khoums = 1/5 ouguiya

About the name: The word khoums (Arabic "خمس", derived from the root khamsa meaning "five") literally translates to "a fifth part". This perfectly describes its fractional value, as exactly 5 khoums equal 1 ouguiya (the main Mauritanian currency). Note that there is also a distinct, historically unrelated Yemeni coin known as the khumsi.

The Unique Non-Decimal Monetary System of Mauritania

The khoums is a highly distinctive fractional coin denomination. Unlike the vast majority of modern world currencies, the traditional Mauritanian system is not based on a decimal subdivision (where a main unit equals 100 sub-units, like 1/100). Instead, Mauritania relies on a unique non-decimal structure where 1 khoums equals 1/5 of an ouguiya. Today, the Mauritanian khoums and the Malagasy iraimbilanja (1/5 ariary) are considered some of the only circulating fractional coins in the world based on fifths.

Historical Context and Economic Role

The khoums was officially introduced alongside the ouguiya in 1973, marking the moment Mauritania established its independent national currency and moved away from the West African CFA franc system. This new denomination reflected a blend of Islamic monetary traditions and the historical trade practices of the western Sahara and Sahel regions.

Typically struck in aluminum or other lightweight alloys, khoums coins served as low-denomination everyday change and a fractional trade unit. For world coin collectors, these early lightweight issues represent an important and rare example of a post-colonial non-decimal currency identity.