Distribution and Marketing
Overview
Trinity Coin & Jewelry Exchange, Inc. was a Dallas-based numismatic firm active during the mid-1980s that served as the licensed marketing and distribution company for the 1986 State of Texas Official Bullion program.
While not a mint itself, Trinity played a central commercial role in bringing Texas Sesquicentennial bullion medallions to market, acting as the primary interface between the producing mints and the dealer/public network.
Location
Primary Business Address (1986):
4043 Trinity Mills Road, Suite 102
Dallas, Texas 75252
Years of Operation
- Founded: October 10, 1984
- Forfeited: January 18, 1988
Trinity Coin & Jewelry Exchange operated during the peak years of the Texas Sesquicentennial bullion program and ceased operations shortly thereafter.
Business Role
Trinity Coin & Jewelry Exchange functioned as the:
- Licensed distributor of Texas bullion medallions
- Marketing firm responsible for promotion and sales
- Dealer-facing sales organization for the program
State Archives documentation explicitly identifies the company as:
“the marketing firm licensed by Silver Creations to distribute the medallions”
Additionally, Trinity described itself as:
“official distributors for American Custom Minting”
This confirms Trinity’s position as the commercial distribution arm of the program.
Relationship to the Texas Official Bullion Program
The 1986 State of Texas Official Bullion program was authorized as part of the Texas Sesquicentennial celebration and operated under a royalty agreement benefiting the State of Texas.
Within this structure:
- Silver Creations, Inc. — Issuer and contracting authority
- American Custom Minting, Inc. — Manufacturing mint
- Trinity Coin & Jewelry Exchange, Inc. — Licensed distributor
Trinity’s responsibility was to market and distribute bullion medallions to dealers and the public, serving as the commercial link between production and retail channels.
Products Distributed
Trinity Coin & Jewelry Exchange distributed bullion products associated with the 1986 program, including:
- 1 oz .999 fine silver Texas bullion medallions
- Fractional gold bullion issues (1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz)
- Texas Sesquicentennial commemorative bullion
These products featured the Great Seal of Texas and were marketed as official commemorative bullion tied to the state’s 150th anniversary.
Key Individuals
- John Keogh — President
- Directors (incorporation): John Keogh, Everett Hull
Keogh is specifically identified in State Archives materials as the executive responsible for the marketing and distribution of the bullion program.
Manufacturing Attribution
Trinity Coin & Jewelry Exchange did not manufacture bullion.
All documented evidence confirms:
- Production was handled by American Custom Minting, Inc.
- Program authority and contracting flowed through Silver Creations, Inc.
Trinity’s role was strictly commercial and distributive.
Historical Significance
Trinity Coin & Jewelry Exchange represents a documented example of a third-party distribution model used in state-associated bullion programs during the 1980s.
Its role in the Texas Sesquicentennial bullion program illustrates how private corporations collaborated to execute a state-approved commemorative bullion initiative, combining:
- Contract minting
- Private manufacturing
- Licensed distribution
This structure allowed the State of Texas to receive royalties while outsourcing production and sales to specialized private entities.
Sources
- Texas State Archives — 1986 Sesquicentennial Bullion Program materials
- Articles of Incorporation — Trinity Coin & Jewelry Exchange, Inc.
- Texas Secretary of State Forfeiture Record — Trinity Coin & Jewelry Exchange, Inc.
Bottom Line
Trinity Coin & Jewelry Exchange, Inc. was the licensed distributor and marketing firm for the 1986 State of Texas Official Bullion program, responsible for bringing state-authorized bullion medallions to market while manufacturing was handled by American Custom Minting under Silver Creations.