5 Kina - Elizabeth II Two Ribbon Sweetlips Fish

Papua New Guinea's five kina silver program of the 1990s drew heavily on the country's extraordinary marine biodiversity, with the sweetlips series among the more scientifically precise depictions in Pacific numismatics. The two ribbon sweetlips — Plectorhinchus polytaenia — inhabits the reef systems of the Bismarck Sea and Coral Sea, both integral to PNG's coastal economy and subsistence fishing culture.

KM#39 was struck at the British Royal Mint under contract, as the Bank of Papua New Guinea lacked domestic striking facilities throughout this period.