Mark Twain Commemorative $5 Gold Coin
- Year of Issue: 2016
- Authorizing Legislation: Public Law 112-201
Background
The U.S. Mint released the Mark Twain $5 Gold Coin in 2016 as part of the Mark Twain Commemorative Coin Program. The program includes a $5 gold coin and $1 silver coin to commemorate author Mark Twain, born Samuel Langhorne Clemens. Each coin has distinctive obverse and reverse designs that are emblematic of the life and legacy of the author.
Recipient Organization: Mark Twain House and Museum, University of California, Berkeley, Elmira College in New York, Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum
Prices for the coins include surcharges of $35 for each gold coin and $10 for each silver coin, which are authorized to be distributed as follows:- One-quarter to the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, CT, to support the continued restoration of the Mark Twain house and grounds and ensure continuing growth and innovation in museum programming to research, promote and educate the public on the legacy of Mark Twain
- One-quarter to the University of California, Berkeley, for the benefit of the Mark Twain Project at the Bancroft Library to support programs to study and promote the legacy of Mark Twain
- One-quarter to Elmira College in New York for research and education purposes
- One-quarter to the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum in Hannibal, MO, to preserve historical sites related to Mark Twain and help support programs to study and promote his legacy.
Commemorative Coin Surcharges
Commemorative coin programs are created by acts of Congress to honor a person, place, or event. Surcharges from the sales of these coins help fund a variety of organizations and projects that benefit the public. Commemorative coins are only available from the United States Mint for a limited time, as specified by public law.
Characteristics
The gold obverse (heads) design features a portrait of Mark Twain.
The gold reverse (tails) design depicts a view of a steamboat with the paddlewheel visible.
Obverse Inscriptions
- LIBERTY
- 2016
- IN GOD WE TRUST
Reverse Inscriptions
- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
- $5
- E PLURIBUS UNUM
Mint and Mint Mark
Specifications
Composition: 90 percent gold, 10 percent alloy
Diameter: 0.850 inch (± 0.003), 21.59 mm (± 0.08)
Weight: 8.359 grams
Mintage Limit: 100,000 across all gold product options
Artist Information
Obverse- Sculptor: Don Everhart, Medallic Artist
- Designer: Benjamin Sowards, Artistic Infusion Program
- Sculptor: Joseph Menna, Medallic Artist
- Designer: Ronald D. Sanders, Artistic Infusion Program