Official Texas Bullion Program – P Mint Mark Variety
Overview
The 1988 State of Texas 1 oz Silver Round (P) is a proof-format issue within the Texas-themed bullion series marketed under the Official Texas Bullion program and produced by Colonial Coins (Houston, Texas). This variety is identified by the “P” mint mark, denoting proof manufacture, and represents a refined strike within the 1988 production group.
The design follows the established State of Texas format, incorporating Texas independence imagery derived from the State Seal of Texas, presented in a reversed orientation across the obverse and reverse. The proof format is characterized by enhanced surface reflectivity, sharper engraving detail, and stronger contrast between fields and devices compared to standard-strike examples.
How to Identify This Round
The 1988 P variety is identified by the “P” mint mark located to the right of the central design and the distinct visual characteristics of a proof strike. A small star appears on each side of the date “1988.”
The Alamo façade displays nine total window openings plus the central doorway, consisting of four lower windows flanking the entrance, five windows across the middle level. The the one small upper porthole-style opening centered above, from other strikes, is omitted on this round. The structure shows crisp, sharply defined stonework and window framing, with stronger detail than standard-strike examples.
The inscription “REMEMBER THE ALAMO – GOLIAD” appears above the Alamo with sharp, fully legible lettering and consistent spacing, with no visible truncation.
The Six Flags are rendered with strong, uniform detail. The French flag (left) shows clearly defined Fleur-de-lis elements. The Spanish flag displays a crown with visible fully jeweled band and interior detail. The Mexican flag shows clear interior design elements, and the American flag (lower right) features fully formed stars rather than dot-style stars and and clearly separated stripes, alternating between raised and flat detail. The Confederate flag displays six visible stars.
In the lower design, the cannon is depicted in left-facing profile with crisp contour lines, the bridge includes defined structural supports, and the river is deeply engraved with clearly visible flowing lines.
The inscription “TEXAS ONE AND INDIVISIBLE” is sharply struck and fully legible.
Unique to the 1988 P Reverse Die: The reverse presents a formal, symmetrical decorative layout with seven acorns and four olives.
The surfaces display proof characteristics, including reflective fields and strong contrast between raised devices and background surfaces.
When these characteristics are observed together with the P mint mark, the round can be confidently identified as the 1988 proof issue within the State of Texas series.
Details
| Year | 1988 |
|---|---|
| Type | Round |
| Set/Collection | State of Texas Rounds (1986–1991) |
| Mint Mark | P |
| Manufacturer / Mint | Colonial Coins (Houston TX) |
| Issuer | Colonial Coins (Houston TX) |
| Obverse Image |  |
| Design: Obverse | The obverse features a heraldic composition derived from the reverse of the State Seal of Texas, centered on the Alamo façade above a segmented shield depicting a cannon, Vince’s Bridge, and flowing water. Surrounding the shield are the Six Flags over Texas, arranged behind a wreath of olive and live oak branches. Above the Alamo appears the inscription “REMEMBER THE ALAMO – GOLIAD”, with a Lone Star flanked by “TEXAS” and “SILVER” at the top. Below, a banner reads “TEXAS ONE AND INDIVISIBLE”, with the date 1988, a small star on each side, and the “P” mint mark to the right. |
| Reverse Image |  |
| Design: Reverse | The reverse displays the obverse of the State Seal of Texas, consisting of a single five-pointed Lone Star encircled by olive and live oak branches, with the inscription “THE STATE OF TEXAS.” The lower legend reads “ONE TROY OUNCE .999 FINE SILVER.” The design is sharply executed in proof format, emphasizing contrast between reflective fields and raised devices. |
| Edge Type | Reeded |
| Edge Inscription | none |
| Metal | Silver |
| Fineness | .999 |
| Weight (grams) | 30.1 |
| Weight (troy oz) | 1 |
| Diameter (mm) | 39 |
| Thickness (mm) | 2.85 |
| Attribution Notes | The “P” mint mark is documented within the State of Texas series and is attributed to Colonial Coins (Houston, Texas) as a proof-designated production. This issue represents a distinct proof-format strike within the 1988 production group. |
| Notes | The 1988 (P) issue is struck in 1 troy ounce .999 fine silver and exhibits proof characteristics, including reflective fields and strong contrast between devices and background surfaces. This variety is distinguished by its sharper engraving detail and more uniform strike quality compared to standard-strike examples. |