In the spring of 1607, three ships carrying 105 settlers – the Virginia Company of London – made landfall in the New World. The Virginia Company was charged with establishing an English settlement in North America, and its employees were the first permanent settlers in what would eventually become the United States. The colony at Jamestown also produced one of the earliest iconic figures of colonial history. Captain John Smith was one of seven council members identified in sealed orders to govern the new colony. Smith led the settlers through the struggles of a harsh winter, the spread of disease, and the often challenging relationships with the Algonquian Indians. Four hundred years later, the United States is honoring the founding of Jamestown with two commemorative coins from the United States Mint.

The Commemorative coins are avaliable for purchase at Jamestown Settlement and Historic Jamestowne. On January 11 a public ceremony was held at the 17th century living-history museum. Edmund C. Moy, director of the United States Mint, participated in the release ceremony in Jamestown Settlement's Robins Foundation Theater immediately before coin sales begin. Mr. Moy was on hand for a limited time to sign Certificates of Authenticity, which were limited to two certificates per customer.

L to R: National Park Service 400th Director,Sandy Rives; APVA Preservation Virginia
Executive Director, Elizabeth Kostelney; Director of the United States Mint, Edmund Moy;
Jamestown 2007 Executive Director, Jeanne Zeidler, Virginia Senator Tommy Norment;
and, Jamestown Settlement Museum Executive Director, Phil Emerson.

Authorized by Public Law 108-289, the commemorative coins are limited to maximum mintages across all product options of 500,000 for the silver dollar and 100,000 for the $5 gold coin. The coins will be sold by the United States Mint through the end of 2007 or until the coins sell out.

The coins tell the story of Jamestown as America’s first permanent English settlement that established democracy, free enterprise and a culturally diverse society in what became the United States.

The obverse of the $5 gold coin depicts Captain John Smith conversing with a Virginia Indian. The coin’s reverse pictures the Jamestown Memorial Church—the only structure remaining from the settlement’s earliest years.

The obverse of the silver dollar depicts "Three Faces of Diversity," representing the Indian, European and African cultures that converged at Jamestown. The reverse depicts the three ships—Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery—that brought the first settlers to Jamestown.

The continued survival at Jamestown of the crew members aboard the Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery marked a major historical milestone in the exploration of North America. In the legislation authorizing this commemorative coin program, Congress says:

"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. The economic, political, religious and social institutions that developed during the first nine 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."

The Jamestown 400th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program comprises two commemorative coins – a silver dollar and a $5 gold coin – available in both proof and uncirculated conditions. Surcharges from the program will support 400th anniversary programs such as promoting understanding, continuing preservation, and improving the infrastructure of Jamestown, among other commemorative events. These programs will be conducted by, and the surcharges will be directed to, the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Secretary of the Interior and the Association for Preservation of Virginia Antiquities.

Customers may purchase coins at the Jamestown Settlement Gift shop or
Historic Jamestowne Gift shop .

President Bush signs
Jamestown Commemorative Coin Bill

Friday, August 6, 2004, President George W. Bush signed the following bills into law: H.R. 1914, Jamestown 400th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act of 2004, to provide for the issuance of gold and silver coins to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement. The coins are currently in the design phase.

The U.S. Mint will strike 500,000 silver dollars and 100,000 gold $5 pieces to be sold throughout 2007. Coins went on sale in January 2007. Proceeds will benefit education programs at the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, the National Park Service and APVA Preservation Virginia.