37 mm diameter, 27 grams, 92.5% silver, proof quality, flat edge Obverse: face value 100 LEI and ROMANIA interrupting a double interior linear circle, year 1999 and Romanian coat of arms, placed on a horizontally hatched cross (blue!), with arc-shaped arms	Reverse: circular inscription + VIZITA S.S. PAPA IOAN PAUL II IN ROMANIA + 7-9 MAI 1999 meaning VISIT OF HIS SANCTITY POPE JOHN PAUL II IN ROMANIA, Pope and Romanian Patriarch flanking a central cross - 1. at left (picture placement) the pope, blessing (with his right hand)and holding crucifix in the left hand, lower inscription PAPA IOAN PAUL II, and lower yet Pope's personal coat of arms (with the keys of Saint Peter the Apostle and with letter M from the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary) 2. at right the Patriarch of Romania holding in the left hand the patriarchal cross, lower inscription PATRIARHUL TEOCTIST, and lower yet the coat of arms of the Orthodox Romanian Church Issuing date: 7th of May 1999 Maximum mintage: 2000 coins
35 mm diameter, 31.103 grams, 99.9% gold, proof quality, flat edge Obverse: face value 100 LEI and ROMANIA interrupting a double interior linear circle, year 1999 and Romanian coat of arms, placed on a horizontally hatched cross (blue!), with arc-shaped arms	Reverse: circular inscription + VIZITA S.S. PAPA IOAN PAUL II IN ROMANIA + 7-9 MAI 1999 meaning VISIT OF HIS SANCTITY POPE JOHN PAUL II IN ROMANIA, Pope and Romanian Patriarch flanking a central cross - 1. at left (picture placement) the pope, blessing (with his right hand)and holding crucifix in the left hand, lower inscription PAPA IOAN PAUL II, and lower yet Pope's personal coat of arms (with the keys of Saint Peter the Apostle and with letter M from the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary) 2. at right the Patriarch of Romania holding in the left hand the patriarchal cross, lower inscription PATRIARHUL TEOCTIST, and lower yet the coat of arms of the Orthodox Romanian Church Issuing date: 7th of May 1999 Maximum mintage: 1000 coins

The pictures of the coins above are present on Romanian coins through the kind permission of Mr. J. Ardelean.

The coin was occasioned by the Pope's John Paul II visit in Romania. John Paul II was pope between 1978 and 2005.

The official title of the pope is: Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Western Church, Patriarch of the West, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Province of Rome, Sovereign of the State of Vatican City.

Yet one more thing that should be so very interesting for English language speakers and not only: pope, for the Orthodox Church, is every single parish priest! Check Webster. The sounding resemblance is quite important in Romanian: in Romanian "papă" is the word designating the bishop of Rome and "popă" the mere priest.

Teoctist Arăpaşu was patriarch of Romania between 1986 and 2007, being succeded in the see by the metropolitan of Moldavia, Daniel Ciobotea.

The aluminum coin essay pictures below are present on Romanian coins through the kind permission of Mr. Florin L..

37 mm diameter, 7.1 grams, aluminum, proof quality, flat edge

The 1000 lei essay pictures below are present on Romanian coins through the kind permission of an anonymous donor.

35 mm diameter, ? g, flat edge