Republic Of Texas "Redback" $5

As a "one from every country" collector, the only paper money I really actively seek for my collection are notes issued by countries which never got around to issuing coins. Ever since I'd heard, back in my collecting youth, that Texas was once an independent country that issued it's own banknotes, I've coveted one.

I'd tried several times in recent years to buy a nice one on ebay - I especially wanted a "redback", to go with my Confederate "blueback" and US "greenbacks". But I kept getting sniped on ebay.

But, success at last! Here it is:

Republic of Texas "redback" $5, dated 25th August 1840.

...and here's why they call it a "redback":


It's not only my first numismatic item from Texas, it's also the oldest banknote in my collection.

I acquired it via ebay from Tradernick, one of our forum dealer-members, whom I can now heartily recommend.