Official Texas Bullion Program – CSM Mint Mark Variety
Summary
The 1986 State of Texas 1/4 oz Gold Round (CSM) is a privately issued bullion piece from the mid-1980s Texas-themed bullion programs. It carries the CSM mint mark and was made by Colonial Coins, Houston, Texas. The rounds were part of a privately marketed bullion program, and included in the 1986 Official Texas Bullion Set. Gold examples represent a scarcer segment of the series relative to silver.
Struck in 1/4 troy ounce of gold, the round features the Alamo with the Six Flags of Texas and the inscription “REMEMBER THE ALAMO – GOLIAD,” matching the design used on contemporaneous silver issues.
Historical Context
The round was issued in 1986, the same year the U.S. Mint introduced the American Gold Eagle and Silver Eagle bullion programs following federal authorization of bullion for IRA investment.
This change expanded the private bullion market. Texas-themed rounds were introduced in parallel as regionally branded bullion products tied to the Texas Sesquicentennial period (1836–1986).
Production is linked to Colonial Coins (Houston, Texas), which operated a private minting setup and marketed these pieces directly. The use of multiple mint marks reflects internal production distinctions, not separate issuing mints.
Gold issues were produced alongside silver but in smaller quantities, consistent with higher cost and lower demand.
Details
| Year | 1986 |
|---|---|
| Type | Round |
| Set/Collection | 1986 Official Texas Bullion Special Presentation Set |
| Mint Mark | CSM |
| Manufacturer / Mint | Colonial Coins (Houston TX) |
| Issuer | Colonial Coins (Houston TX) |
| Obverse Image |  |
| Design: Obverse | Depicts a rendering of the reverse of the official State Seal of Texas: a quartered shield showing the Alamo (top), a cannon (lower left), and a bridge over water (lower right), surrounded by a wreath of olive and live oak branches. Behind the shield are crossed flags and spears representing the Six Flags of Texas. The design is a five-pointed star with the inscription “TEXAS GOLD.” A banner across the upper center reads “REMEMBER THE ALAMO GOLIAD.” Below appears the motto “TEXAS ONE AND INDIVISIBLE,” with the date 1986 at the bottom. The CSM mint mark is positioned to the lower right of the wreath. |
| Reverse Image |  |
| Design: Reverse | Displays a rendering of the official State Seal of Texas: a central five-pointed star encircled by olive and live oak branches. The surrounding legend reads “THE STATE OF TEXAS.” Along the lower rim is the bullion inscription “1/4 TROY OUNCE .999 FINE GOLD.” |
| Edge Type | Reeded |
| Edge Inscription | None |
| Metal | Gold |
| Fineness | .999 |
| Weight (grams) | 7.75 |
| Weight (troy oz) | .25 |
| Diameter (mm) | 21.88 |
| Thickness (mm) | 1.47 |
| Attribution Notes | CSM mint mark. Attributed to Colonial Coins (Houston, Texas) as a privately issued bullion piece. Supported by Vogt interview, Fogarty testimony, and matching die characteristics across related CSM/CM/CCM issues. |
| Notes | Displays a rendering of the official State Seal of Texas: a central five-pointed star encircled by olive and live oak branches. The surrounding legend reads “THE STATE OF TEXAS.” Along the lower rim is the bullion inscription “1/4 TROY OUNCE .999 FINE GOLD.” |