Earlier today, Jan. 14, the United States Mint released two 2016 $5 Mark Twain Commemorative Gold Coins.
They are available in proof and uncirculated collector qualities and at introductory prices for a limited time. Silver editions with different designs will follow later.
Mark Twain was the pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemens, who was born on November 30, 1835 in Florida, MO. Clemens was raised in Hannibal, MO near the Mississippi River which would serve as a source for many of his later writings. His subject matter was extremely varied but often touched on the troubling concepts surrounding the American Civil War and race and economic inequalities.
Clemens was responsible for such classics as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and its sequel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Nearly every book he wrote is still in print, with more than 6,500 editions translated into 75 languages.
Both the proof and uncirculated coins are produced at the U.S. Mint’s facility in West Point which is indicated with a mint mark on the obverse just below the year.
Limited to a combined 100,000, these coins are struck with the same basic specifications as other modern U.S. gold commemoratives. That includes a composition of 90% gold and 10% alloy with a diameter of 0.850 inches. Weighing 8.359 grams, each has about 0.242 troy ounces of gold.
Ordering, Introductory Pricing and Surcharges
Order 2016-W $5 Mark Twain Commemorative Coins from this U.S. Mint online page or call 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
The proof gold coin is $364 and the uncirculated gold coin is $359, each $5 less because of introductory pricing. Regular prices kick in at 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 16, 2016. Also, pricing can change up to weekly depending on the latest weekly average of LBMA gold. The current prices are based on a gold average that sits within the range of $1,050.00 to $1,099.99.
Prices include surcharge amounts of $35 for each gold coin. The collected funds will benefit museums and educational programs dedicated to Mark Twain.
