500 Escudos Vasco da Gama Bridge, Bimetallic foil silver and gold

The Vasco da Gama Bridge opened in March 1998 — just in time for Expo '98, Lisbon's world exposition themed around the ocean and the 500th anniversary of da Gama's sea route to India. At 17.2 kilometres, it was the longest bridge in Europe at the time of inauguration. The commemorative program generated multiple formats; this bimetallic version, with its silver centre in a gold ring, was the prestige issue in that run.