Mark Twain Commemorative Coins Proposed
H.R. 1195: Mark Twain Commemorative Coin Act
Summary: Proposal for commemorative coins to honor American writer Mark Twain in 2013. The proposal seeks $5 gold coins and $1 silver coins emblematic of his life and legacy.
Sponsor: Rep. John Larson
Date Introduced: February 25, 2009
Current Status: Referred to Committee (February 25, 2009)
Identical Senate Bill: S.483: Mark Twain Commemorative Coin Act
Identical bills seeking authorization for Mark Twain Commemorative Coins were introduced in the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Senate bill is S. 483. Last year a similar bill had been introduced, but never voted on in the House or Senate.
The proposed commemorative coins would include $5 Gold coins struck in a quantity of up to 100,000. These coins would have a composition of 90% gold and 10% alloy with a diameter of 0.85 inches and weight of 8.359 grams. Also included would be $1 Silver coins struck in a quantity of up to 500,000. These coins would have a composition of 90% silver and 10 % copper with a diameter of 1.5 inches and weight of 26.73 grams.
The design requirements for the coins are not specific to each coin and do not provide much in the way of specific guidance. They designs must simply be emblematic of the life and legacy of Mark Twain. Required inscriptions include the value of the coin, the year, and the inscriptions “Liberty”, “In God We Trust”, “United States of America”, and “E Pluribus Unum”. The final designs would be selected by the Secretary of the Treasury after consultation with the CFA, CCAC, and Broad of the Mark Twain House and Museum.
The coins would be issued in uncirculated and proof versions fo a one year period beginning January 1, 2013. Surcharges from the sale of coins would be distributed to the Mark Twain House & Museum, Mark Twain Project at the Bancroft Library, Center for Mark Twain Studies, and Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum.
