Coins - 2007 American Legacy
Collection Proof Coins Set
For the third American Legacy Collection Proof Coins Set in 2007, the US Mint chose another easily
recognizable American symbol for the front of the set. This yearly set's design shows a view of the
White House looking up at the front entrance with the columns and ornate windows along with
the hanging light fixture. And, of course, the flag waves on the peak of the roof. The design
in silver contrasts with the black background of the display case.
With the addition of the Presidential dollars to the 2007 proof coins set, the box grew in size. The
set measures 11 1/2 inches by 12 1/2 inches by 1 1/2 inches. The closure in the middle of the
inner case also includes magnetic fasteners.
On the front, the title states, "2007 United States Mint American Legacy Collection™" in silver. The spine
of the outer package also includes the title.
The protective outer cover slips off to reveal the inner display case which has the same White House
design.
The back of the inner case forms an easel to allow the proof coins set to
be displayed in an upright position.
The back of the easel includes silver print in two columns to show the contents of the proof
coins set:
2007 United States Mint American Legacy Collection™
Jamestown 400th Anniversary Silver Dollar
Presidential $1 Coins
George Washington
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison
Kennedy Half Dollar
Roosevelt Dime
Lincoln Cent
Little Rock Central High School Desegregation Silver Dollar
Sacagawea Golden Dollar
50 State Quarters®
Montana
Washington
Idaho
Wyoming
Utah
Jefferson Nickel
In silver, the United States Mint seal and emblem complete the list.
An envelope enclosure attached inside the back frame holds the Certificate of
Authenticity.
Upright and open, the case displays the proof coins set in their protective holders set into
a black flocked, semi-rigid plastic. Indentations beside each coin's protective lens allow
the coins to be removed for viewing the opposite side.
The left cover is dedicated to the Jamestown 400th Anniversary. On a semi-gloss, multicolored
background, pictures of Captain John Smith, Pocahontas, Jamestown Memorial Church and a drawing of James Fort
(c. 1609) are displayed under a banner noting "Virginia."
The text recognizes the 400th Anniversary further:
After more than four months at sea, 104 men and boys from England stepped ashore in Virginia from three
small ships, the Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery. There they founded Jamestown, the first permanent
English settlement in North America, named for King James I of England.
To protect themselves, the settlers built a triangular wooden fort, lost for centuries but rediscovered
during excavations begun in 1994. They were poorly prepared for the daily hardships they would face
in this new land, and many died of disease and starvation.
Under the strong leadership of Captain John Smith, they maintained an uneasy truce with a coalition of
native tribes led by powerful chief Powhatan. Helped by the friendship of Powhatan's daughter, Pocahontas,
Jamestown survived and served as the capital of the Virginia colony until 1699.
In 1619, the Jamestown colonists elected representatives to the House of Burgesses, the first representative
governing body in the Western Hemisphere - a precursor to our state legislature and the United States
Congress.
The right flap provides information about the Little Rock Central High School Desegregation. In the background
is portions of the Executive Order 10730 along with pictures of the high school, President Eisenhower
signing the Executive Order and an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence showing "that all men are
created equal."
The text states:
In 2007, the United States commemorates the 50th anniversary of the desegregation of Little Rock
Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, when nine brave young African American
students entered Central High School in the midst of violent demonstrations and rioting.
In the 1954 landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that racial
segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. But in many communities the path to school integration was
marked by conflict and resistance.
To implement the Supreme Court decision, President Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered the U.S. Army to Little
Rock, under Executive Order 10730, to escort the students as they entered the school.
As they attended Central High School the Little Rock Nine set an example of dignity and courage. All
went on to attend college. In 1999 they received Congressional Gold Medals in recognition of the selfless
heroism they exhibited and the pain they suffered in the cause of civil rights by integrating Central
High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The obverse of the Jamestown 400th Anniversary silver dollar shows the three faces of
diversity — Pocahontas, Captain John Smith and Chief Powhatan — inside the wooden fort with the
tall masts of one of the ships visible in the background.
The reverse of the Jamestown 400th Anniversary commemorative dollar shows the three ships, the Susan
Constant, Godspeed and Discovery, with sails unfurled and full as the men and boys travel to
the new colony.
The obverse of the Little Rock Central High School Desegregation silver dollar respects the seriousness of
that time through the portrayal of a soldier escorting the Little Rock Nine to school. Showing just the feet
and legs, the design provides a powerful image of the students walking with the soldier.
The reverse shows the Little Rock Central High School with its impressive entry and tree to the
right. You can find more information about the school and the honors for the Little Rock Nine from the National Park Service's Little Rock Central High School web site and at the school's web site.
The standard proof coins set in 2007 contained five coins: the penny, nickel, dime, half dollar
and golden dollar. The nickel's obverse continues the Jefferson portrait from 1800.
The five circulating coins for 2007 include the traditional reverse images and edges, either plain or
reeded.
The five quarters of the 50 State Quarters Program show George Washington on the
obverse.
The 2007 quarters honored the 41st through 45th states with Montana (41st, November 8,
1889), Washington (42nd, November 11, 1889), Idaho (43rd, July 3, 1890), Wyoming (44th, July
10, 1890) and Utah (45th, January 4, 1896).
In 2007, the United States Mint introduced the Presidential Dollar Coins. The coins honor each President in the
order that they served with their portrait on a golden dollar.
The first four included:
George Washington, 1st President served 1789 - 1797
John Adams, 2nd President served 1797 - 1801
Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President served 1801 - 1809
James Madison, 4th President served 1809 - 1817
Some people call the 2007 dollars "godless dollars," because they do not have "IN GOD WE TRUST" on
either the obverse or the reverse. But, these dollars have a lettered edge which includes "IN GOD WE TRUST," "E
PLURIBUS UNUM," the date and the mint mark.
The lens protecting the Presidential dollar coins includes space around each coin in order to
view the lettered edge by tilting the lens.
The reverse of all the Presidential dollars contains the image of the Statue of Liberty with her torch
held high.
With its sixteen coins and larger display case, the 2007 American Legacy Collection provides a
beautiful proof coins set that includes the circulating coins and two commemorative silver
dollars produced by the US Mint in that year.
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