Mauritanian Ouguiya: Rare Non-Decimal Currency System

Illustrated Specimen Details: 5 Ouguiya of Mauritania

Example Specimen: 5 Ouguiya, 2005 (Republic of Mauritania)

Authority & Design: This circulating coin represents the unique monetary system of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. Following the visual layout, the obverse features the national seal of Mauritania, encompassing a crescent and star representing Islam, flanked by a palm tree and millet to symbolize the nation's geographic location and agricultural foundation within the Sahara. The French inscription "BANQUE CENTRALE DE MAURITANIE" and the denomination "5 OUGUIYA" border the emblem. The reverse mirrors this information in Arabic, displaying "البنك المركزي الموريتاني" along the top edge and the denomination "أوقيات ٥" (5 ounces) below. A crescent and star within a wreath are centrally located, along with the Islamic Hijri year "١٤٢٦" (1426), which directly corresponds to the Gregorian year 2005. The bilingual execution of the legends perfectly reflects the two official languages of the nation.

1. ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF MAURITANIA (from 1973 to present): ouguiya = 5 khoums

The linguistic origins of the ouguiya: The name of the Mauritanian currency derives directly from the Arabic word "ugiya", which translates literally to "ounce". Historically, this unit of weight had a venerable tradition across the western Sahara region, widely used to measure precious metals and exchange money. The fractional unit, the khoums, originates from the Arabic word meaning "one fifth". Together, they form a highly unusual system. Next to the Malagasy ariary, the Mauritanian ouguiya is one of the only two modern non-decimal currencies remaining in the world.

History and Financial Role of the Ouguiya Denomination

The ouguiya was officially introduced in 1973, marking a significant milestone in Mauritania's financial independence. It replaced the CFA franc (the West African franc used during the first years of independence from France) at a strict conversion rate of 1 ouguiya to 5 CFA francs. The very first coins of this new system were issued that same year in denominations of 1, 5, 10, and 20 ouguiya, alongside a smaller coin valued at one fifth of an ouguiya, correctly identified as 1 khoums.

Physical Characteristics and Production

Throughout its circulation history, ouguiya coins have been struck from a variety of metals, transitioning from aluminum and brass to copper-nickel, plated steel, and eventually bimetallic alloys. In 2010, a bimetallic coin with a denomination of 50 ouguiya was put into circulation for the first time. The designs consistently feature the national emblem, Islamic motifs, and local flora or fauna. A notable numismatic feature of Mauritania is its extremely conservative approach to commemorative issues; during the first half-century of the currency's existence, the central bank produced only a single jubilee coin — a gold 500 ouguiya piece dedicated to the fifteenth anniversary of state independence.

Economic Role and Cultural Legacy

Functioning as the primary legal tender, the ouguiya serves as the essential medium of exchange and accounting unit throughout the country. In 2018, Mauritania carried out a major currency redenomination at a rate of 1 new ouguiya to 10 old ouguiyas to modernize the economy, yet firmly retained both the currency's historic name and its unique fractional structure. Because it divides into five units rather than one hundred, the ouguiya stands as a fascinating subject for global collectors and a proud symbol of Moorish heritage.