The formal congressional efforts to secure a commemorative coin program for the 400th Anniversary of the Jamestown (Virginia) settlement took place in July 2000 (106th Congress) when bills that called for the establishment of the Jamestown 400th Commemoration Commission to "develop and execute programs and activities commemorating the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown." The bill was signed into law by United States ("US") President William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton..
One of the purposes of the Jamestown 400th Commemoration Commission was to "support and facilitate marketing efforts for a commemorative coin, stamp, and related activities for the Jamestown 2007 observances." The Commission proved to be successful regarding Jamestown stamps, coins and other souvenir commemorative items.
2007 Jamestown 400th Anniversary Postage Stamp Souvenir Sheet
The coin effort began its journey in Congress during the First Session of the 108th Congress. Companion bills were introduced in the House of Representatives ("House"), by Jo Ann Davis (R-VA), and in the Senate, by John Warner (R-VA). The two bills were introduced in May 2003.
From the start, the bills sought a two-coin commemorative program: a Gold Half Eagle (UP TO 100,000) and a Silver Dollar (UP TO 500,000). I've always wondered why a Half Dollar - either Silver or Copper-Nickel (CuNi) Clad - was not included in the program? It seems like an ideal topic for an educational set focused on younger collectors. (At least IMO.) Potential for such a coin/package to draw attention (i.e., sales) from the Silver Dollar and/or Gold Half Eagle?
To provide historical background and context for the requested coin program, the bills included a "Findings" section:
"The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The founding of the colony at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607, the first permanent English colony in America, and the capital of Virginia for 92 years, has major significance in the history of the United States.
(2) The Jamestown Settlement brought people from throughout the Atlantic Basin together to form a society that drew upon the strengths and characteristics of English, European, African, and Native American cultures.
(3) The economic, political, religious, and social institutions that developed during the first 9 decades of the existence of Jamestown continue to have profound effects on the United States, particularly in English common law and language, cross cultural relationships, manufacturing, and economic structure and status.
(4) The National Park Service, the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, and the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation of the Commonwealth of Virginia collectively own and operate significant resources related to the early history of Jamestown.
(5) In 2000, Congress established the Jamestown 400th Commemoration Commission to ensure a suitable national observance of the Jamestown 2007 anniversary and to support and facilitate marketing efforts for a commemorative coin, stamp, and related activities for the Jamestown 2007 observances.
(6) A commemorative coin will bring national and international attention to the lasting legacy of Jamestown, Virginia.
(7) The proceeds from a surcharge on the sale of such commemorative coin will assist the financing of a suitable national observance in 2007 of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Virginia."The coins designs were specified to "be emblematic of the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent English settlement in America." Final designs were to be selected by the Secretary of the Treasury after consultation with the Jamestown 2007 Steering Committee (part of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation of the Commonwealth of Virginia), the National Park Service and the Commission of Fine Arts. The Citizens Advisory Committee was to serve in a review capacity.
The Issue Price of each coin was to include a surcharge:
- $35 per Gold Half Eagle
- $10 per Silver Dollar
A multi-tiered surcharge distribution model was to be implemented, with 50% of funds going to to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation of the Commonwealth of Virginia to be used to "to promote understanding of the legacies of Jamestown" and:
The other 50% was to be split evenly (i.e.,~16.66%) between:
(i) The Secretary of the Interior.
(ii) The Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities.
(iii) The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation of the Commonwealth of Virginia
To be used to:
(i) To sustain the ongoing mission of preserving Jamestown,
(ii) To enhance national and international educational programs relating to Jamestown, Virginia,
(iii) To improve infrastructure and archaeological research activities relating to Jamestown, Virginia, and
(iv) To conduct other programs to support the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia..
Each of the bills was well-supported, with 299 co-sponsors for the House version and 72 for the Senate bill. Such support ensured one or the other bill would be subject to a Hearing.
You can read about the Hearing proceedings in
Part II.
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more about modern US commemorative coins, see:
Commems Collection
Posted 01/05/2026 11:02 am
