I previously posted the Texas Independence Centennial half dollar in this thread (see it
here), but it was just a simple post without a background story on the symbolism of the star - that is something I need to correct! So, here's a bit more on the large, single star on the Texas commemorative half dollar.
The star is an obvious nod to the Texas State Nickname: The Lone Star State. But what are the roots of the nickname?
In the years preceding its independence from Mexico, Texas was part of the Mexican state known as Coahuila y Tejas (Texas). The flag of Coahuila y Tejas, by some accounts, consisted of three, equal width vertical bands of (left to right) green, white and red (a tricolor) with two gold stars in vertical orientation within the central white band. The flag closely resembles the tricolor flag of Mexico.
Flag of Mexican State of Coahuila y Tejas
Image Credit: Froztbyte - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/ind...urid=3920763After gaining its independence in 1836, the Republic of Texas created its own flag. The first version of the flag is believed to have had a solid blue field with a five-pointed white star at its center. This version of the flag had the letters of "TEXAS" in between the star points. The second flag of the Republic dropped "TEXAS" and changed the color of the star from white to gold.
Flag of Republic of Texas - First Version
Image Credit: Glasshouse - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/ind...rid=15800827Flag of Republic of Texas - Second Version
(Image Credit: Public Domain.)In 1839, the now familiar "Lone Star Flag" was developed. It consists of a single vertical blue band at the hoist side, with single white and red horizontal stripes across the field; white on top. A large, white five-pointed star is placed in the center of the blue band. The flag is still in use as the Texas State Flag.
Flag of Republic of Texas - Third / Lone Star Version
(Image Credit: Public Domain.)The "Lone Star State" nickname is a symbol of Texas' history of fighting alone for its independence and its ongoing spirit of tackling things - big or small - on its own.
Pompeo Coppini's use of the "Lone Star" on the obverse of the Texas coin was a natural, if not obvious, choice.
1934-38 Texas Independence Centennial Half Dollar
If you'd like to learn more about the Texas half dollar, check out:
-
1935 Texas Independence Centennial -
Texas Centennial - There Could Have Been Five!-
Texas Independence Centennial - Post Your Coin Depicting Places Thread-
Texas Independence Centennial - Post Your Coins with Hats Thread-
Texas Independence Centennial - Post Your Coins Depicting Mythology ThreadI also have other commemorative coin and medal posts that can be found at:
Read More: Commems Collection.
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
Edited by commems
04/23/2021 6:42 pm
First Page
Previous Page
Posted 04/18/2021 11:09 pm
