Maroc Cartes - Spanish Playing Cards

7/26/2026

Maroc Cartes - Spanish Playing Cards

This serves as the second appendix to the entry on the Grimaud No. 104 "48 Naypes Refinos". Beyond describing that specific deck, that article examines how a French-manufactured Spanish-suited deck established a distinct market niche in North Africa during the 20th century. I recommend reading it first, as it provides helpful context for the details addressed below.

The first appendix examined the Ducale edition, which offered equivalent design and quality save for minor differences. By contrast, while the deck at hand showcases the same artwork, it shows significant disparities in materials and finish.

Turning to the deck at hand, the only identifying feature is the inscription Maroc Cartes, found on the Ace of Coins and a couple of other cards. Unsure whether this denotes the brand, the model, or both, I’ve opted to simply refer to it as Maroc Cartes – Spanish Playing Cards. This is a Moroccan-made product that, among others, took over after the original French-made decks disappeared from the market.

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The deck consists of 40 cards and, as mentioned above, features the exact same artwork as the French versions. The only distinguishing detail is the absence of the goat tied to a tree on the 10 of Coins. Apart from this, no other relevant differences exist. The color scheme is closer to that on the Ducale edition, hinting that it might have been used as a reference, although this remains speculative.

The overall quality is considerably inferior to the French editions. The cardstock is somewhat hard to describe—it feels rather stiff when handled, yet flimsy at the same time. Even brand new and barely touched, several signs of wear can already be seen, especially around the corners; the fact that they are square and sharp rather than rounded almost certainly plays a part in that.

The cutting is also quite inconsistent. There are size variations of up to 1 mm between cards, which doesn't help when shuffling. On top of that, the cuts aren't clean—rough edges are visible even in the scanned images, as if they had been cut with a dull blade, or even by hand.

A plastic coating is applied exclusively to the card faces, featuring a fairly mediocre satin-gloss finish. The backs lack any form of protection, leaving them with a rough texture.

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In line with the rest of its physical traits, the print quality is also several steps below the French editions. But I’d like to pause here for a moment. The technique used feels similar to that of newsstand magazines from the '80s or '90s—and while it’s hardly top-tier, it lends the deck a warm, nostalgic charm that’s hard to criticize. In fact, all the shortcomings I’ve listed have a somewhat paradoxical effect: they add character and bestow a pleasing 'vintage' aesthetic. And although I’m not crazy about that word, no other term captures my impression quite as well.

It is by no means a premium deck—in fact, I doubt I’ll ever actually play a game with it. Yet that sense of austere authenticity isn’t something that can be faked, making this set a unique piece that’s surprisingly hard to look away from.