10 Rufiyaa FAO

The FAO coin program, launched in the 1960s, commissioned member nations to produce issues whose themes promoted food security and agricultural development — the Maldives' participation in 1979 reflected the islands' dependence on marine resources at a time when the FAO was actively pushing fisheries management in the Indian Ocean region. The silver .925 striking of KM#59a was produced alongside a base metal companion, making the silver version the minority issue by mintage.