Overview
The Republic of Texas movement consists of multiple organizations, governments, congresses, and websites that have operated under the Republic of Texas name since the mid-1990s. While many of these groups share common beliefs regarding Texas sovereignty, they were not necessarily the same organization and often operated independently, with different leadership, websites, governing bodies, and membership.
Following highly publicized events involving Richard Lance McLaren and other Republic of Texas activists during the 1990s, numerous organizations emerged claiming to represent, restore, or continue the Republic of Texas. These groups frequently established their own congresses, provisional governments, executive branches, courts, publications, and websites. In many cases, leadership and membership moved between organizations, while in other cases competing groups operated simultaneously and disputed one another’s authority.
Because leadership, websites, and organizational structures changed over time, no single organization should automatically be assumed to represent all Republic of Texas activity. Historical research requires examining each organization separately and documenting its leadership, dates of activity, publications, websites, and public statements based on contemporary records.
This guide documents the organizations, leaders, websites, and historical records associated with the Republic of Texas movement using archived websites, newsletters, leadership rosters, public statements, and other primary-source materials. The goal is to establish a factual record of the movement and its various organizations based on documented evidence.
Research Scope and Disclaimer
This guide is not intended to be a comprehensive history of the Republic of Texas movement. Organizations, leaders, and websites are documented only to the extent necessary to identify, attribute, and provide historical context for Republic of Texas numismatic issues and related collectibles. Not all organizations below issued gold and silver bullion. Current research does not support attributing all known rounds to specific organizations. Some rounds was issued over multiple years by multiple organizations.
Documented Republic of Texas Organizations
| Dates Active | Entity | Leadership | Website(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–2003 | Provisional Government of the Republic of Texas | Johnson, Enloe, López, Brannum, Hunter | Republic-of-Texas.org, TexasRepublic.org |
| 1996–1998 | Republic of Texas / Provisional Government of Texas | VanKirk, Lowe, Miller, Kesterson, Chapman, Doreck | Republic-of-Texas.com |
| 1998–2004 | The Republic of Texas (Tenth Congress) | McLaren, McDaniel | The-Republic-of-Texas.org |
| 2000–2005 | Republic of Texas Provisional Government / Interim Government | Lowe, Miller, Brannum and others | Republic-of-Texas.net |
| 2008, 2018 | Texas Nationalist Movement | Miller | TexasNationalist.com |
| 2008–2015 | Republic of Texas | Perkins, Jarnecke, Ford, Brannum | TexasRepublic.info |
| 2009–2025 | The Republic of Texas | Jarnecke, Ford, Brannum | TheTexasRepublic.com |
| 2023–Present | Republic of Texas (28th Congress) | Ford, Cartwright, Barnett | Therepublicoftexas1836.org |
| 2024–Present | Republic of Texas Nation | Blackwell, Bontrager | RepublicOfTexasNation.com |
Current Active Organizations
Bullion Examples
Observed Republic of Texas issues include:
- silver bullion rounds
- copper rounds
- fractional silver issues
- fractional gold issues
Observed examples use multiple denomination systems and inscriptions, including:
- “R.T. Unit”
- “Units”
- “silver grams”
- “LIBERTY”
- “RUA TEXIAN”
Recurring themes observed on the rounds include:
- The Alamo
- San Jacinto
- Treaty of Velasco
- Texas sovereignty imagery
- constitutional and religious themes
- Republic of Texas historical references
Observed Republic of Texas Bullion Issues
| Year | Observed Format | Observed Denomination |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 1 oz silver | One R.T. Unit |
| 2000 | 1 oz silver | One R.T. Unit |
| 2003 | 8 gram silver | Silver grams |
| 2008 (Estimated) | 1 oz copper | Two Units |
| 2010 | 1 oz silver | FIFTY |
| 2010 | 1 oz copper | Two Units |
| 2011 | 1/2 oz silver | Twenty Five Units |
| 2011 | 1/10 oz gold | 500 Units LIBERTY |
| 2013 | 1 oz silver | FIFTY |
| 2014 | 1/10 oz silver | Five Units / RUA TEXIAN |
| 2015 | 1/2 oz silver | Twenty Five Units |
| 2017 | 1 oz copper | Three Units |
| 2018 | 1/4 oz silver | No Units denomination observed |
No known specimens for years 1998, 2001–2002, 2004–2009, 2012, 2016.
Current research is based on observed specimens documented through private collections, auction archives, and marketplace appearances. Absence from the table does not conclusively establish nonexistence.
Organizational Identifiers Observed on Rounds
Several later issues contain direct organizational identifiers struck into the rounds themselves, including:
- “AOCS Approved”
- TexasRepublic.info
- TheTexasRepublic.com
These inscriptions provide direct issuer/entity association evidence for the pieces on which they appear.
Manufacturer Attribution
Manufacturer attribution remains unresolved for many Republic of Texas bullion issues.
Attribution standards used on this site rely on:
- mint marks
- primary-source documentation
- direct testimony
- or confirmed die-link analysis
Unsupported stylistic speculation is intentionally avoided.
Research remains ongoing regarding possible production relationships involving North American Mint and certain later Republic of Texas bullion issues.
Numismatic Characteristics
Observed Republic of Texas issues display several recurring characteristics, including:
- serialized edge numbering on some early issues
- recurring “Units” denomination systems
- multi-metal production
- recurring Texas-outline and Lone Star motifs
- evolving reverse designs across different years
Current observed evidence does not establish continuous annual issuance.
Research Status
Research into Republic of Texas bullion issues remains ongoing. Additional specimens, documentation, and primary-source evidence may further refine the attribution and production history of these issues over time.
Coins from Republic of Texas (15)
