Depicts a portrait of Francesco De Sanctis from a work by Francesco Saverio Altamura, conserved at the Museum San Martino in Naples; around, the inscription “REPUBBLICA ITALIANA”; at the base of the portrait, the name of the designer “A. MASINI”; below, bay laurel leaves, the symbol of wisdom.

Depicts an allegory of Literature coming to life from an inkwell, a symbol of writing, and bearing titles of some works by De Sanctis engraved on her hair; around, “FRANCESCO DE SANCTIS”; on the left, the letter “R” identifying the Mint of Rome; on the right, “5 EURO”; below, “1817” and “2017”, the year of De Sanctis’ birth and that of the coin’s issue respectively; at the base, bay laurel leaves.