Holy Connecticut Yankee, A Coin For Twain

So I gave up the idea of a circus, and concluded he was from an asylum. But we never came to an asylum–so I was up a stump, as you may say.

I asked him how far we were from Hartford. He said he had never heard of the place; which I took to be a lie, but allowed it to go at that. At the end of an hour we saw a far-away town sleeping in a valley by a winding river; and beyond it on a hill, a vast gray fortress, with towers and turrets, the first I had ever seen out of a picture.

“Bridgeport?” said I, pointing.

“Camelot,” said he.

–MARK TWAIN, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, 1889.

From Lieberman, Blumenthal, Himes:

Today, Senators Joseph I. Lieberman and Richard Blumenthal along with Congressman John B. Larson announced that the Mark Twain Commemorative Coin Act will be sent to the desk of President Obama for his signature following last night’s passage by the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressman Larson originally introduced the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives during the 111th Congress and has long championed Mark Twain’s legacy and his historical significance to the city of Hartford and to the nation.

“Mark Twain contributed to the spirit of our great nation and the history of our state,” said Senator Lieberman. “His timeless works are known across the world, and I am proud to have worked throughout my career to protect the Twain House and the surrounding historic Nook Farm neighborhood. These commemorative coins will serve as a token of his lasting legacy.”

“Mark Twain is an American icon with deep roots and a proud history in Connecticut,” said Senator Blumenthal. “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.”

“Readers and historians across the nation continue to find tremendous value in Mark Twain’s literary genius and unique perspective,” Congressman Larson said. “The Mark Twain coins will honor his legacy, and help give future generations the opportunity to study his contributions to Connecticut and America for years to come.”

The bill was recently sent back to the House after its initial passage, following a technical amendment by the Senate. Once signed into law surcharges associated with the Twain coins will help support four nonprofit organizations, including the Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, that preserve the work and legacy of Mark Twain.