TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending July 16, 2004

HR 1914 to provide for the issuance of a coin to commemorate the 400^th anniversary of the Jamestown Settlement in Virginia.

BRIEF

   Jamestown, founded in 1607, was the first English colony in the US. It was the capital of Virginia for 92 years. There, a society was founded and economic and political roots grew from Jamestown.

   The commemorative coin will bring national and international attention to the lasting legacy of Jamestown, Virginia and the proceeds from a surcharge on the sale of the coin will assist the financing of a suitable national observance in 2007 of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Virginia.

   One coin will be a $5 gold coin limited to 100,000 issues and weighing 8.359 grams and measuring .85 inches in diameter. They will be 90 % gold and 10 % alloy. The silver coin will be a $1 coin weighing 26.73 grams and measuring 1.5 inches in diameter. That coin will be 90% silver and 10% copper and 500,000 will be issued.

   The coins will be distributed in un-circulated and proof conditions between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007. The coins will be legal tender.

   There will be a surcharge of $35 for the gold coin and $10 for the silver. 1/2 of the surcharges shall be used to support programs to promote the understanding of the legacies of Jamestown and for such purpose shall be paid to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation of the Commonwealth of Virginia. ½ of the surcharges will go to preserving Jamestown, enhance education programs regarding Jamestown and conduct programs to support the anniversary activities.

   The coins are not yet designed.

Sponsor: Representative Jo Ann Davis (R-VA-1^st)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote (July 14, 2004).

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost. ##All Rights Reserved. No reproduction or distribution without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com.