The decision behind this Philippine silver 50 piso, KM# 229, was taken three years before the coin appeared: on 21 December 1976 the UN General Assembly proclaimed 1979 the International Year of the Child. The resolution noted that the year fell two decades after the 1959 children's rights declaration and named UNICEF as the lead agency for the Year.

Its aims were practical: to make governments and the public aware of children's special needs and to bring programmes for children into national development plans. The Philippines answered with a commemorative coin showing a front-facing bust of a child and the Year's logo with its Filipino name, while its obverse carries the Philippine coat of arms and national motto.

The FM mint mark identifies its maker, the American Franklin Mint. Some 10,000 regular pieces were made against 27,000 proofs, which leaves the non-proof version as the smaller issue.

It belongs in a Philippines collection, a UN-themed set or a collection on childhood. Uncirculated, it has never been used as money and shows no wear, with its original lustre intact.