Depicts a stylized portrait of Vasco da Gama facing left, his name and dates above, the engraver's name below.

Depicts the Portuguese coat of arms over the cross of the Order of Christ with the country name at the top and the value below.

The coat of arms of Portugal is based on the coat of arms used by the Portuguese Kingdom since the Middle Ages. The coat of arms of Portugal is popularly referred as the Five Quinas or simply the Quinas (quinas being the five escutcheons of the Portuguese shield).

The cross of the Order of Christ (frequently referred simply as the cross of Christ) has been a national emblem since the reign of Manuel I, former great master of the Order. Despite not being one of the elements of the Coat of arms of Portugal, it is extensively used as a national symbol. Namely, it was used in the sails of the ships of the Portuguese Discoveries and is still used today in the sails of the Portuguese Navy's school ship Sagres, in the Portuguese Air Force's aircraft roundels and in the badges of several Portuguese national sports teams.

Depicts the inscription "Fifth centenary of Vasco da Gama"