Stylized inscription in stacked format: THE RUFF TIMES ’81 NATIONAL CONVENTION. Lettering is bold and irregular, emphasizing the event branding rather than traditional numismatic design elements. No border denticles are present.
Central scroll motif framed by foliage, with surrounding legends: ONE TROY OUNCE (upper perimeter), TEXAS MINT (above scroll), .999 FINE SILVER (within scroll), SILVER TRADE UNIT (lower perimeter). The scroll-and-wreath design is consistent with known Texas Mint bullion styling from the early 1980s.
The Ruff Times Convention Silver Trade Unit is attributed to the Texas Mint program operating under Don Casey Company control in Garland, Texas. The round carries the standardized Texas Mint / Silver Trade Unit reverse used on multiple documented North Texas private-mint issues of the early 1980s, including custom client and promotional pieces. The convention-themed obverse was paired with a common Texas Mint reverse, a production model consistent with private-label minting practices of the period. Supporting evidence includes the use of the Texas Mint hallmark, contemporaneous dating, shared manufacturing characteristics, and documented Don Casey ownership and control of Texas Mint Company during the issue period. While no surviving mint records specifically naming the Ruff Times Convention issue have been located, current evidence supports attribution to the Texas Mint program under Don Casey Company.
Struck by Texas Mint for Howard Ruff's 1981 Ruff Times National Convention, this round carries a collector base well beyond Texas, tied to Ruff's nationally circulated financial newsletter. It has traded hands steadily for more than a decade.
| Date | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 11, 2026 | 119.99 | Most RecentUnverifiedWorthPoint High outlier - real sale, not adjusted |
| Dec 26, 2025 | 77.17 | WorthPoint |
| Dec 12, 2025 | 65.00 | WorthPoint |
| Nov 12, 2025 | 50.00 | WorthPoint |
| Sep 25, 2025 | 49.00 | WorthPoint |
| Jul 25, 2025 | 48.80 | WorthPoint |
| Jul 6, 2025 | 46.00 | WorthPoint |
| Jun 11, 2025 | 49.99 | WorthPoint |
| May 19, 2025 | 123.99 | Highest EverUnverifiedWorthPoint High outlier - real sale, not adjusted |
| Apr 29, 2025 | 49.00 | WorthPoint |
| Mar 13, 2025 | 48.50 | WorthPoint |
| Aug 23, 2023 | 25.05 | WorthPoint - included per Tex |
| Apr 29, 2022 | 30.01 | WorthPoint |
| Mar 15, 2022 | 37.00 | WorthPoint |
| Mar 13, 2022 | 40.00 | WorthPoint |
| Feb 4, 2022 | 58.49 | WorthPoint |
| Dec 20, 2021 | 31.00 | WorthPoint |
| Feb 22, 2021 | 33.75 | WorthPoint |
| Oct 26, 2020 | 35.41 | WorthPoint |
| Oct 17, 2020 | 32.69 | WorthPoint |
| Oct 3, 2020 | 24.50 | WorthPoint |
| Jul 1, 2020 | 21.12 | WorthPoint |
| Apr 16, 2020 | 28.00 | WorthPoint |
| May 23, 2019 | 23.39 | WorthPoint |
| Jan 26, 2019 | 22.95 | WorthPoint |
| Jan 20, 2019 | 29.99 | WorthPoint |
| Mar 24, 2018 | 28.25 | WorthPoint |
| May 20, 2017 | 28.00 | WorthPoint |
| May 14, 2017 | 12.50 | UnverifiedWorthPoint Low outlier - real sale, not adjusted |
| Nov 15, 2016 | 18.01 | WorthPoint - relist (same seller) |
| Nov 14, 2016 | 20.50 | WorthPoint - relist (same seller, next-day relist follows) |
| Sep 10, 2016 | 28.99 | WorthPoint |
| Apr 18, 2016 | 49.00 | WorthPoint |
| Sep 23, 2014 | 28.00 | WorthPoint |
| Jun 9, 2014 | 34.33 | WorthPoint - included per Tex |
| Feb 5, 2013 | 32.97 | WorthPoint |
| Sep 27, 2012 | 36.00 | WorthPoint |
| Jun 22, 2012 | 28.02 | WorthPoint |
| Apr 8, 2009 | 14.50 | WorthPoint - included per Tex |
Scroll for full 39-sale history ↓
Overview
The 1981 Ruff Times National Convention Silver Trade Unit is a privately issued 1 troy ounce .999 fine silver round produced by Texas Mint (Don Casey Company, Garland, Texas). It was created for distribution at a national investment convention associated with financial writer Howard J. Ruff during the peak of the late-1970s and early-1980s hard-money movement.
Historical Context
The round was issued in connection with a national convention organized around the financial philosophy of Howard J. Ruff, whose publications and events promoted precious metals ownership as a hedge against inflation and currency instability.
By 1981, investor interest in physical silver remained elevated following the volatility of the 1980 precious metals market. Conventions such as this served as both educational forums and direct sales environments for bullion products. Event-issued silver trade units functioned as tangible extensions of that message—combining investment utility with promotional identity.
Issued for the 1981 Ruff Times National Convention, an event run by father and son team – Howard Ruff and Larry Ruff. They later owned Liberty Mint of Provo, Utah when began operations in 1983.
Coin Notes
A convention-issued silver trade unit tied to the early 1980s hard-money movement, the 1981 Ruff Times National Convention round reflects the intersection of private mint bullion production and investment ideology during a period of elevated economic uncertainty. Likely issued and distributed directly at the convention by Howard and Larry Ruff.
