Texas Capitol Dedication Design

Overview

The 1988 Texas Capitol Centennial Silver Medal is a privately issued commemorative medal produced to mark the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Texas State Capitol in Austin on May 16, 1888. The medal was struck in 2 troy ounces of .999 fine silver and issued during 1988 only as part of the Capitol Centennial observance.

The commemorative program was marketed under the name Texas State Mint, Inc., a Texas corporation incorporated December 15, 1987, with its registered office at 909 Travis Street, Houston, Texas. Corporate records identify Dr. George W. Vogt, founder of Colonial Coins, Inc., as a registered agent and director of the company. Surviving documentation, including certificates of authenticity and original sales invoices, shows that the medallions were distributed through the Colonial Coins operation in Houston, which operated from the same address. The commemorative was struck by Medallic Art Company, Danbury, Connecticut.

The design of the medallion reproduces the imagery of the original 1888 Texas State Capitol dedication souvenir badge, a commemorative medal distributed to visitors attending the dedication festivities. The original badge design was protected by U.S. Design Patent D17,920, issued December 6, 1887, to John Wharton Marcy of Austin, Texas, titled “Design for a Badge or Medal.” Issued approximately six months before the dedication ceremony, the patent secured the ornamental layout used for the official souvenir badge sold during the event.

The 1988 centennial issue recreates that historic design as a solid silver commemorative medal, preserving the Capitol building vignette, banner arrangement, and inscription referencing the dedication of the Capitol.

Each silver medallion was individually serialized with a metal serial number and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity stating that the pieces were struck only during 1988. The certificates further indicate that sales of the silver medallions would be recorded as part of the Capitol Centennial commemorative program.

Known specimens display serial numbers exceeding 1825, establishing a documented minimum mintage at or above that quantity. The final production total for the silver issue has not been publicly reported.

Attribution

The 1988 Texas Capitol Centennial Silver Medal was marketed under the name Texas State Mint, a trade name associated with Colonial Coins, Inc., Houston, Texas, a precious-metals dealer and commemorative medal distributor active during the 1980s.

Attribution of the 1988 Texas Capitol Centennial medallion to Medallic Art Company is supported by original packaging accompanying issued specimens. The presentation box is clearly marked “Medallic Art Co., Danbury, Ct.,” identifying the firm as the manufacturer. As packaging supplied with commemorative medal programs is typically produced by or for the striking mint, this marking constitutes primary physical evidence linking the medallion’s production to Medallic Art Company, while the accompanying certificates and invoices identify Texas State Mint (Colonial Coins, Inc., Houston) as the issuing and distributing entity.

Historical Context

The Texas State Capitol was completed in 1888 after several years of construction and was dedicated in a major public celebration that attracted thousands of visitors to Austin. Souvenir items were sold during the event, including the patented dedication badge designed by Marcy.

The 1988 silver round commemorates the centennial of that dedication, preserving the historic badge design as a precious-metal medal for collectors.

Details

Year	1988
Type	Medal
Mint Mark	None
Manufacturer / Mint	Medallic Art Company (Danbury, CT)
Issuer	Colonial Coins (Houston TX)
Obverse Image
Design: Obverse	The obverse features an engraved view of the Texas State Capitol building in Austin, shown from the front elevation. The structure is rendered with fine architectural engraving including the central dome, façade columns, and roofline details. Surrounding the building is a circular legend referencing the dedication of the Texas State Capitol, commemorating the opening of the building on May 16, 1888. The layout mirrors the design used on the original 1888 dedication souvenir badge.
Reverse Image
Design: Reverse	The 1888 Texas Capitol Dedication Medal reverse reproduces the historic inscription used on the original dedication medal, arranged within a circular border: DEDICATION OF THE TEXAS STATE CAPITOL OFFICIAL SOUVENIR PATENTED DEC. 6, 1887 AUSTIN TEXAS MAY 16, 1888 The inscription references the design patent issued December 6, 1887, which protected the ornamental layout of the original souvenir badge.
Edge Type	Reeded
Edge Inscription	4 Digit Proof Number
Metal	Silver
Fineness	.999
Weight (grams)	62.3
Weight (troy oz)	2
Diameter (mm)	47.60
Thickness (mm)	4
Attribution Notes	Struck by Medallic Art Company (Danbury, Connecticut), as confirmed by original presentation packaging and certificate. Distributed by Texas State Mint (Colonial Coins, Houston, Texas).
Notes	Original 1888 souvenir badges often include the inscription “Patented Dec. 6, 1887.” The patent corresponds to Design Patent D17,920 – Badge or Medal – John Wharton Marcy – Austin, Texas. The centennial medal appears to be a direct reproduction of the original badge design rather than a newly created commemorative layout. Manufacturing attribution for the 1988 medal remains unconfirmed, though it was marketed through Colonial Coins. Primary sources Official Gazette of the U.S. Patent Office, Dec 6 1887 — Design Patent D17,920. Texas State Archives artifact description — Texas Capitol dedication souvenir medal. Secondary references Texas State Capitol dedication history, May 16 1888. Texas numismatic and commemorative medal research.