2000 - Virginia State Quarter (D)

The Virginia quarter, the tenth coin released under the 50 State Quarters® Program, honours Jamestown, Virginia, our nation's first permanent English settlement. Jamestown turns 400 years old in 2007. The selected design features the three ships, Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery. These ships brought the first English settlers to Jamestown.

On 10^th April, 1606, King James I of England chartered the Virginia Company to encourage colonisation in the New World. The first expedition, consisting of the three ships depicted on the quarter, embarked from London on 20^th December, 1606. On 12^th May, 1607, they landed on a small island along the James River nearly 60 miles from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. It was here the original settlers (104 men and boys) established the first permanent English settlement called Jamestown, in honour of King James I.

Quarter Specifications

Release Date – 16^th October 16 2000

Reverse Side - Jamestown 1607-2007, Quadricentennial

Engraver - Edgar Z Steever

Standard Weight - 5.670g

Standard Diameter - 24.26mm

Thickness - 1.75 mm

Edge Detail – Reeded Composition: Cupro-Nickel Clad  (8.33% Nickel / 91.67% Copper)