The coin depicts a near-Earth satellite ESRO-2B or IRIS in the orbit of planet Earth. Around the image there is a stylized orbit with inscriptions, on top of the 'ESRO-2B' and below are the memorable dates '1968 2018', the coat of arms of the municipality of Herzl, the initials of the country of the issuer 'BE', the logo of the Royal Mint of the Netherlands (caduceus or Mercury stick, short staff woven two snakes), a little later the initials of the coin designer 'LL'.

A geographical image of Europe

Ribbed with the inscription '2 ★ ★ 2 ★ ★ 2 ★ ★ 2 ★ ★ 2 ★ ★ 2 ★ ★'

ESRO-2B or Iris (International Radiation Investigation Satellite) is a European astrophysical spin-stabilized research satellite launched in 1968. Under the direction of the European Organization for Space Research, ESRO 2B conducted astronomical studies mainly in X-ray detectors and solar particle detectors.