Texas Sesquicentennial Commemoratives
Overview
The 1986 Texas Sesquicentennial Yellow Rose of Texas silver round is a 1 oz .999 fine silver commemorative issued during the 150th anniversary of Texas independence. The design references the Yellow Rose of Texas, a long-standing cultural symbol associated with the Texas Revolution. The piece was produced during the Texas Sesquicentennial year. The striking mint is not documented.
The “Yellow Rose of Texas” is traditionally associated with Emily D. West (often referred to as Emily DeWitt), a woman said to have been present at Santa Anna’s camp during the Texas Revolution. Popular legend holds that she distracted General Santa Anna at a critical moment before the Battle of San Jacinto in April 1836, contributing indirectly to the Texian victory. While the story became deeply embedded in Texas folklore and later tied to the famous song “The Yellow Rose of Texas,” primary historical documentation confirming the details is limited, and elements of the narrative remain debated among historians.
Details
| Year | 1986 |
|---|---|
| Type | Round |
| Mint Mark | None |
| Manufacturer / Mint | World Wide Mint (Bloomington, MN) |
| Obverse Image |  |
| Design: Obverse | The obverse features a single fully bloomed rose with stem, leaves, and detailed serrated edges. The flower is centrally positioned within an open field without additional inscriptions. The engraving emphasizes layered petals and naturalistic shading, with frosted relief against reflective background surfaces. |
| Reverse Image |  |
| Design: Reverse | The reverse carries a circular legend reading “.999 FINE SILVER” and “ONE TROY OUNCE.” Centered within a recessed matte inner field is the date “1986,” positioned above a silhouette of the State of Texas. The outer ring is polished with raised lettering, contrasting against the textured interior field. |
| Edge Type | Reeded |
| Edge Inscription | None |
| Metal | Silver |
| Fineness | .999 |
| Weight (grams) | 31.1 |
| Weight (troy oz) | 1 |
| Diameter (mm) | 39.1 |
| Thickness (mm) | 2.85 |
| Attribution Notes | Unmarked examples are attributed to World Wide Mint, Inc. based on matching die characteristics and production style observed on confirmed WWM-marked rounds. Attribution is supported by physical evidence but not explicitly marked. |
| Notes | Unlike related pre-Sesquicentennial issues dated 1985, this example carries the commemorative year 1986 on the obverse. The reverse contains no textual identifiers beyond the floral design. |