Obverse: the center of the obverse features the Coat of Arms of Romania. Above it, in a semicircle, the inscription ROMANIA is engraved, while below is the denomination 100 LEI. The coat of arms divides the year of issue 1999. Around it, a compass and various species of Antarctic birds and mammals are engraved.
Reverse: the reverse depicts the ship "Belgica," a portrait of Romanian biologist Emil Racoviță, the EURO symbol, and inscription. The upper semicircle bears the inscription EXPEDITIA ANTARCTICA BELGICA 1897–1899, while the lower part features EMIL RACOVITA.
About the coin: this commemorative silver coin was issued to mark the 100th anniversary of the Antarctic expedition of the ship "Belgica" (1897–1899), in which Romanian biologist Emil Racoviță participated.
