Morocco, 2 1/2 Dirhem, from the series Coins of All Nations (N72, variation 2) for Duke brand cigarettes 1889

This small chromolithograph, made around 1910 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as part of a series of cigarette cards, presents a Moroccan woman alongside the country’s 2 1/2 Dirhem coin. Produced during a period of intense European colonialism, these cards reflect a Western fascination with, and commodification of, foreign cultures. What does it mean to flatten a culture into a collectible? This image encapsulates complex layers of representation. The woman’s traditional clothing and veiled face speak to Western romanticism of the ‘exotic’ Orient, while the coin represents economic exchange and colonial power dynamics. The artistic choices— the soft focus and rosy cheeks — contribute to a sense of otherness. Consider the gaze of the figure; is she inviting or guarded? The card invites us to reflect on how cultural identity is packaged, consumed, and often distorted through the lens of commercial interests. How does this card perpetuate or challenge the stereotypes of its time, and what echoes do we find in our own?