The United States Mint opened sales for Mark Twain Commemorative Gold Coins on January 14 at noon Eastern Time (ET).
Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910), better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American author and humorist. He wrote The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) and its sequel, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885) – the latter often called “The Great American Novel”.
Twain grew up in Hannibal, Missouri, which provided the setting for Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. After an apprenticeship with a printer, he worked as a typesetter and contributed articles to the newspaper of his older brother, Orion Clemens. He later became a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River before heading west to join Orion in Nevada. He referred humorously to his singular lack of success at mining, turning to journalism for the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise.
In 1865, his humorous story “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” was published. It was based on a story he heard at Angels Hotel in Angels Camp, California, where he had spent some time as a miner. The short story brought international attention, and was even translated into classic Greek. His wit and satire, in prose and in speech, earned praise from critics and peers, and he was a friend to presidents, artists, industrialists, and European royalty.
Public Law 112-201 authorizes the mint and issue up to 100,000 $5 gold commemorative coins in proof and uncirculated qualities. Customer demand will determine the ratio of proof to uncirculated coins minted within the authorized mintage limits.
The sales prices include surcharges of $35 for each gold coin. These monies are authorized to be paid to the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, Connecticut; the University of California, Berkeley; Elmira College in New York; and the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum in Hannibal, Missouri.
Orders are being accepted at catalog.usmint.gov/, and at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468), while hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order at 1-888-321-MINT. To learn more about available shipping options, visit catalog.usmint.gov/customer-service/shipping.html.
The release date for the Mark Twain Commemorative Silver Dollars will be announced soon.
About the United States Mint
The United States Mint was created by Congress in 1792 and became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. It is the Nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage and is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The United States Mint also produces numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. The United States Mint’s numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers.
