The Celebration of Roanoke Island’s 350th Anniversary
In 1587, a group of English settlers, under the leadership of John White, landed on what would become Roanoke Island, North Carolina. During their time there, Virginia Dare was born, the first European child born in British North America. Around 1590, the Roanoke colony “vanished”. It became known in history as “The Lost Colony” after the word “CROATOAN” was found carved on a post in the colony. The exact fate of the colonists remains unknown. Historical and archaeological evidence suggests the settlers assimilated with Native American groups, particularly the Croatoan (Hatteras) people, though definitive proof is lacking.
In 1936, the 350th anniversary of those events was about to occur the following year. The Roanoke Colony Memorial Association was formed to determine whether coin legislation would be enacted and whether proper celebrations could be held in 1937. The legislation sought a commemorative half dollar, and the bill called for a minimum authorized mintage of 25,000 coins of the 1937 Roanoke Island, North Carolina Half Dollar, with a maximum of 50,000. The legislation did pass and was signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt.
The Roanoke Colony Memorial Association sought the expertise of William Marks Simpson, who designed the 1936 Norfolk, Virginia, Bicentennial Half Dollar with his wife, to design an appropriate coin for Roanoke.
Design Details
The obverse of the coin depicts a bust of Sir Walter Raleigh, facing left. To the left of Raleigh’s face is the date “1937,” and “SIR WALTER RALEIGH” appears below his bust. Above Raleigh are the mottoes “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and “LIBERTY.” Around the periphery are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “HALF DOLLAR”.
The reverse depicts the first European child born in England’s American colonies, Virginia Dare, held in the arms of her mother, Eleanor Dare, who is shown in full figure facing left. Below her are two sailing ships, one on each side of her, and the motto, “IN GOD WE TRUST.” Above Ellinor is “THE BIRTH OF VIRGINIA DARE,” and around the periphery are “THE COLONIZATION OF ROANOKE ISLAND – NORTH CAROLINA” and the dates “1587 – 1937.” This is the first U.S. coin to depict a baby based on a real person in their coinage.
Mintage & Distribution
The Philadelphia Mint struck 50,000 coins. A total of 30 additional coins were struck solely for assay purposes. Of those 50,000 eligible to be sold, a total of 29,000 coins were sold and distributed. There were 21,000 unsold coins returned to the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia for remelting.
The Roanoke Colony Memorial Association began offering these commemorative coins by mail at $1.65 each, which included 15 cents for postage. The coins were shipped in imprinted mailing envelopes and had the traditional 5-coin TAB holders that were very popular for shipping commemorative coins. Expand your collection today with this coin and shop for other U.S. classic silver commemorative coins.
