Commems Collection Modern: 2007 Jamestown 400th Anniversary - Part III / The Coins

Continuing the Jamestown 400th Anniversary coin story from Part II / The Hearing...


Before I jump into the coins, I'd like to add an abbreviated historical timeline to provide a slightly broader perspective on the European settlement of America:

- France establishes Fort Caroline (near present-day Jacksonville, Florida) in 1564
- Spain establishes settlement at St. Augustine, Florida in 1565

Note: Spain wiped out French at Fort Caroline to take control of Florida in 1565. Today, St. Augustine, Florida stands as the oldest, continuously-inhabited settlement in present-day US.

- England attempts colonies/settlements at Roanoke Island in 1584 and 1587
- England establishes settlement at Jamestown, Virginia in 1607
- England establishes settlement at Popham (present-day Phippsburg, Maine) in 1607; colony failed in 1608
- England establishes Plymouth colony in Massachusetts in 1620

Note: This list is NOT comprehensive. For example, I have not included sites established by Native Americans or sites with disputed histories, nor have I included early Spanish settlements in present-day Puerto Rico (a US Commonwealth).

None of these events is meant to diminish what happened at Jamestown, they are meant simply to provide a broader view of early European settlement within the present-day United States.

The sales window for the 2007 Jamestown 400th Anniversary coin program opened on January 10, 2007. A public ceremony was held on January 11, 2007 at the Jamestown Settlement in Virginia; coins were available for purchase at the event.

2007 Jamestown 400th Anniversary Gold Half Eagle



Obverse Design: Per the US Mint, "The obverse design of the $5 gold coin...features Captain John Smith in conversation with an American Indian."

Obverse Designer/Sculptor: John Mercanti

Reverse Design: Per the US Mint, "The reverse design...depicts the [ruins] of the Jamestown Memorial Church.

Note: The original church was constructed in the 17th Century; it was reconstructed in 1907 as part of Janestown's 300th Anniversary commemoration.

2007 Jamestown 400th Anniversary Silver Dollar



Obverse Design: Per the US Mint, "depicts three faces of diversity, representing the cultures that lived and worked together to ensure the success of the colony at Jamestown."

Obverse Designer: Donna Weaver (Don Everhart, Sculptor)

Reverse Design: The coin's reverse is a bit abstract. It presents a waving US Flag, but from a zoomed-in perspective focused on the flag's canton (aka Union) and stars.

Reverse Designer: Susan Gamble (Charles Vickers, Sculptor)

Neither of the coins sold out. The Gold Half Eagle sold 65,893 units (47,050 Proof; 18,843 Uncirculated) out of an authorized 100,000 (~66%); Silver Dollar sales totaled 338,603 units (258,802 Proof; 79,801 Uncirculated) out of an authorized 500,000 (~68%).

Note: The Silver Dollar sales included 26,442 Proof coins included in the American Legacy Edition Proof Set.

The Pre-Issue Prices for the Gold Half Eagles were $230 (Proof) and $220 (Uncirculated). The Regular Prices were $255 (Proof) and $245 (Uncirculated). The price change became effective after 5:00pm (Eastern) on February 12, 2007.

The Pre-Issue Prices for the Silver Dollars were $35 (Proof) and $33 (Uncirculated). The Regular Prices were $39 (Proof) and $35 (Unciruclated). As with the Gold Half Eagles, the price changes became effective after 5:00pm (Eastern) on February 12, 2007.

As usual, I went with the Uncirculated version of each coin for my collection.


If you missed the story of the Jamestown 400th Anniversary coin program's journey in Congress, see: 2007 Jamestown 400th Anniversary - Part I / In Congress

If you missed the story of the Jamestown 400th Anniversary coin program's Hearing in Congress, see: 2007 Jamestown 400th Anniversary - Part II / The Hearing


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more about modern US commemorative coins, see: Commems Collection


BONUS #1

The US Mint struck a commemorative medal for the 300th Anniversary of Jamestown as part of the Jamestown Exposition:



For more on the medal, see: 1907 Jamestown Exposition


BONUS #2

In Part I of the Jamestown coin program story, I mentioned the commemorative stamp issued for the 400th Anniversary. Most stamps issued by the United States Postal Service ("USPS") do not include surcharges that are to be paid to a private sponsor. So, to maximize the benefit of associated stamps, organizations often issue First Day Covers ("FDCs") that feature the stamp(s) and enable them to derive net proceeds from the stamps. The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation made use of such a plan for the 2007 USPS Jamestown Settlement 400th Anniversary commemorative stamp.

Here's a Set of the four Official FDCs sponsored by the Foundation for the Jamestown 400th Anniversary stamp. I've also included an image of the information card that came in each of the covers - it provides some great background information on the covers.

2007 Jamestown 400th Anniversary "Mist" FDC


2007 Jamestown 400th Anniversary "Compass" FDC


2007 Jamestown 400th Anniversary "Triangle" FDC


2007 Jamestown 400th Anniversary "Pier" FDC


2007 Jamestown 400th Anniversary FDC - Common Back


2007 Jamestown 400th Anniversary FDC - Information Card