2 Pa'anga - Taufa'ahau Tupou IV Humpback Whale

Tonga's 1980 wildlife series was issued partly in response to the International Whaling Commission's growing pressure on Pacific nations to take conservation positions — a politically loaded moment for island economies historically adjacent to whaling grounds. The humpback population migrating through Tongan waters had declined sharply by mid-century, and the coin's release coincided with early international efforts to establish the South Pacific Whale Sanctuary.

KM#63a denotes the .999 fine silver version; a base metal counterpart was struck for the same type.