Gold medals for Twain, Cather

The US Mint will begin receiving orders today (July 15) for this year's two gold medallions in the American Arts Commemorative Series, Monitor writer Francine Kiefer reports. The medallions, the second set of a 10- year series under the American Arts Gold Medallion Act, commemorate Mark Twain and Willa Cather, the authors. The one-ounce medallion has a portrait of Twain on one side and a Mississippi River scene on the other. A Cather portrait and prairie scene with a girl plowing are on the half- ounce medallion. The medallions are 90 percent gold, 10 percent alloy.

The price of the medallions is based on the day-to-day New York Commodity Exchange settlement price for spot gold plus a $14 premium for the one-ounce medal and a $7 premium for the half-ounce medal to cover production and distribution costs. Daily prices and ordering information can be obtained by calling toll free: (800) 368-5510 in the continental US and (800) 368-5500 in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Washin gton, D.C., residents can call 783-3800.