Mark Twain Commemorative Silver Dollars and $5 Gold Coins for 2016

Mark Twain commemorative silver dollars and $5 gold coins will be issued by the United States Mint in 2016, as directed by legislation signed into law this week by President Obama.

On December 4, 2012, the President signed the Mark Twain Commemorative Coin Act. It directs the Secretary of the Treasury, and thus the U.S. Mint, to strike and release up to 350,000 silver dollars and a maximum of 100,000 $5 gold coins in commemoration of the famous author.

These gold and silver coins will be available in both proof and uncirculated qualities. Designs featured on each are to be "emblematic of the life and legacy of Mark Twain."

Mark Twain is the pen name of Samuel Clemens who lived from 1835 to 1910. He is best known for his novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer as well as its sequel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Many consider these two works as some of the best examples of classic American literature. In addition, Clemens is regarded as one of the top humorists of his age.

The legislation authorizing the coins honoring Twain was introduced in the United States House of Representatives on July 7, 2011 by Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer of Missouri. Twain grew up in the town of Hannibal, Missouri and used that background to create his classic novels.

"I want to thank the president for signing this legislation into law and I appreciate the efforts of all the folks back home that have worked so hard for so long to make this day possible," commented Rep. Luetkemeyer after the Mark Twain Commemorative Coin Act was signed by the President.

"Twain’s Boyhood home attracts people from all over the world and brings much-needed jobs and economic development to the state and this law will certainly boost those efforts."

After passing the House on April 18, 2012, the legislation was sent to the US Senate where two amendments were added before passage on September 22, 2012. The two added amendments demand that the coins only be issued if there is no net cost to the government and modified the surcharge requirement.

After the final passage on November 15, 2012, Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut who had introduced similar legislation (S. 1929) had these comments:

"People of all ages from every corner of the globe seek to learn from Twain’s literary works, wisdom, and wit each day. This bill commemorates his cultural and historic legacy and empowers those organizations most committed to preserving it."

Sales of the commemorative silver dollars and $5 gold coins include surcharges. A surcharge of $10 will be added to the sale of each silver dollar and $35 for each $5 gold coin. Raised funds are to be split equally between:

• the Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford, Connecticut;
• the University of California, Berkeley, California for the benefit of the Mark Twain Project at the Bancroft Library;
• the Elmira College, New York to be used for research and education purposes; and
• the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum in Hannibal, Missouri to preserve historical sites related to Mark Twain and help support programs to study and promote his legacy

These coins will be struck to the same specifications as other modern commemorative silver dollars and $5 gold coins produced by the U.S. Mint.