The 2005 Texas Horned Toad Silver Dime is one of four designs issued in the Texas Silver Dime Collection, a companion series to the Texas Dollar program produced by the Texas Mint of Whitney, Texas. The dime series features Texas wildlife and nature themes and uses a standardized reverse design shared across all issues.
Although denominated as “10¢,” the pieces were struck at approximately the diameter of a U.S. nickel, intentionally larger than a traditional dime. This size made the coins suitable for women’s pendant jewelry, a key part of the program’s intended market.
The Horny Toad design honors the Texas horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum)—commonly called the “horny toad”—one of the most recognizable reptiles of the American Southwest and a long-standing symbol of Texas wildlife.
Series Context
The Texas Silver Dime Collection consists of four designs:
- Dragonfly Dime
- Horned Toad Dime
- Quail Dime
- Hummingbird Dime
The series was produced alongside the Texas Dollar / Texas Silver Dollar program (2000–2009) and reflects Rick Pinner’s broader goal of celebrating Texas wildlife, culture, and heritage through collectible silver rounds.
Details
| Year | 2005 |
|---|---|
| Type | Round |
| Set/Collection | Texas Silver Dime Collection |
| Mint Mark | None |
| Manufacturer / Mint | Texas Mint and Mercantile (Whitney, TX) |
| Issuer | Texas Mint and Mercantile (Whitney, TX) |
| Designer / Sculptor / Engraver | Rick Pinner, Whitney TX |
| Obverse Image |  |
| Design: Obverse | The obverse depicts a Texas horned lizard, commonly known as the horny toad, shown in profile moving across the field. The reptile’s distinctive flattened body, spiny crown, and textured scales are rendered in relief. A circular ring of small denticles frames the design near the rim. No additional legends or inscriptions appear on the obverse, allowing the wildlife subject to dominate the composition. The design reflects the Texas Mint program’s focus on natural symbols of the Texas landscape and ecosystem. |
| Reverse Image |  |
| Design: Reverse | The reverse uses the standardized Texas Silver Dime reverse shared across the entire series. A large five-pointed Texas star occupies the center of the coin. Within a circular medallion at the star’s center appears the denomination “10¢.” The surrounding legend reads: THE LONE STAR STATE TEXAS arranged around the rim. Below the star appears a small heart symbol, an intentional artistic motif incorporated into many Texas Mint designs as a subtle signature element. |
| Edge Type | Plain |
| Edge Inscription | None |
| Metal | Silver |
| Fineness | .999 |
| Weight (grams) | 5.25 |
| Weight (troy oz) | .20 |
| Diameter (mm) | 21.7 |
| Thickness (mm) | 1.9 |
| Notes | 1 in a series of 4 animals of Texas; Horned Toad, Dragonfly, Hummingbird and Quail |