Texas Independence Centennial Half Dollar

The Texas Independence Centennial Half Dollar celebrates the 100th anniversary of Texas winning its independence from Mexico in 1836. Designed by Italian-American sculptor Pompeo Coppini, it is regarded as one of the more artistically ambitious and visually striking coins of the classic commemorative era.

Although initially struck for the 1934 centennial, the coin's popularity with collectors led to continued issues through 1938 across three mints, generating a set of dates and mintmarks that remains a favorite target for commemorative specialists.

Congress authorized the coin in 1933 to commemorate the centennial of the Texas Revolution and the Republic of Texas's declaration of independence from Mexico in 1836. Sculptor Pompeo Coppini, an Italian immigrant who had already created notable Texas monuments, was commissioned to design the coin.

Although the centennial celebration itself centered on 1936, coin production began in 1934 and continued annually through 1938 at Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco, driven by continued collector demand and promotional sales rather than the original centennial event alone. This extended run mirrors other multi-year commemoratives of the 1930s where sponsors kept issuing new dates as long as collectors continued buying.

The obverse features a large American eagle perched atop a five-pointed Lone Star, with "REMEMBER THE ALAMO" inscribed on a small shield or below the design and "TEXAS INDEPENDENCE CENTENNIAL" around the rim. The reverse depicts an allegorical winged figure of Victory standing behind, with small profile portraits of Texas heroes Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin flanking the design, along with the dates 1836 and 1936.

The coin is struck in standard 90% silver half dollar composition, with D and S mint marks for Denver and San Francisco issues and no mark for Philadelphia. Despite being struck across five years, 1934 through 1938, the design remained essentially unchanged, so collectors distinguish issues primarily by date and mintmark rather than by design differences.

Because the coin was produced over several years at three mints, there are numerous date and mintmark combinations with varying mintages and prices, though the series as a whole is considered moderately accessible compared to the most extreme low-mintage commemoratives of the era. Earlier dates and Philadelphia issues tend to be more common than the later, lower-mintage Denver and San Francisco issues.

A basic type example in circulated to average uncirculated grade is generally affordable, while assembling a complete date-and-mintmark set requires locating some scarcer combinations that command noticeably higher premiums, particularly in gem condition. Overall eye appeal and strike quality also influence pricing given the coin's detailed, high-relief design.