Included in The Silver Coins of Texas Set – Texas Sesquicentennial Silver Round
Overview
The 1986 Gonzales Cannon silver round was issued during the Texas Sesquicentennial as part of The Silver Coins of Texas program produced by Lone Star Mint.
The design commemorates the opening engagement of the Texas Revolution at Gonzales on October 2, 1835, symbolized by the famous “Come and Take It” cannon.
This round was issued both individually and as part of a three-coin proof set alongside the Alamo and Sam Houston issues.
Specifications
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Year | 1986 |
| Series | The Silver Coins of Texas |
| Metal | Silver |
| Purity | .999 fine |
| Weight | 1 troy ounce |
| Diameter | ~40 mm |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Finish | Proof / Proof-like |
| Mint | Lone Star Mint |
Historical Context
The Gonzales cannon represents the first military action of the Texas Revolution. Mexican authorities attempted to reclaim a small cannon previously issued to settlers, prompting resistance by Texian colonists.
The resulting confrontation on October 2, 1835 marked the beginning of organized armed resistance against Mexican rule.
Series Context
This round is part of a three-coin set:
- Gonzales Cannon (1835)
- The Alamo (1836)
- Sam Houston / San Jacinto (1836)
Unlike the other two issues in the set, the Gonzales round is notable for its absence of denticles on both obverse and reverse, indicating a distinct die format within the series.
Details
| Year | 1986 |
|---|---|
| Type | Round |
| Set/Collection | The Silver Coins of Texas 3 Piece Set |
| Mint Mark | None |
| Manufacturer / Mint | Lone Star Mint (Plano, Texas) |
| Issuer | Lone Star Mint (Plano, Texas) |
| Designer / Sculptor / Engraver | Artist: Steve Rogers (McKinney, TX), Designer: Mark Schroeder (Plano TX) |
| Obverse Image |  |
| Design: Obverse | Depicts the Gonzales cannon mounted on a wooden carriage with the “Come and Take It” flag positioned above. Legends: TEXAS SESQUICENTENNIAL, GONZALES, CRADLE OF TEXAS INDEPENDENCE, OCT. 2, 1835, ONE TROY OUNCE, & .999 FINE SILVER. Border: Plain rim — no denticles |
| Reverse Image |  |
| Design: Reverse | Central Texas state seal motif featuring a five-pointed star surrounded by an olive branch and live oak branch. Legends: THE LONE STAR STATE, 1836 — TEXAS — 1986, 1845 (above central star). Design note: The olive and oak branches each display three fruits (olives and acorns), a recurring stylistic detail seen across Lone Star Mint designs. Border: Plain rim — no denticles |
| Edge Type | Reeded |
| Edge Inscription | None |
| Metal | Silver |
| Fineness | .999 |
| Weight (grams) | 30.1 |
| Weight (troy oz) | 1 |
| Diameter (mm) | 38.75 |
| Thickness (mm) | 1.85 |
| Attribution Notes | Produced by Lone Star Mint as part of its confirmed 1986 Sesquicentennial program. Attribution is supported by: original proof-set packaging, consistent design style across the series, direct confirmation from the current owner of Lone Star Mint, who participated in mint operations during the 1980s |
| Notes | Only three designs were issued in The Silver Coins of Texas series A gold companion exists for the Alamo design; no gold version of the Gonzales round is confirmed The plain-border format distinguishes this coin from the denticled-border Alamo and mixed-border Sam Houston issues |