(Just The News)—New coins and “Redbacks” have been released through the Texas Bullion Depository (TxBD), the only state-run bullion depository in the country.
Texas Lone Star coins and Modern Texas Redback Gold notes have been released through a new TxBD program offering authorized commemorative precious metal products to investors and collectors.
“The Texas Lone Star Coins and Modern Redbacks offer Texans and others a unique opportunity to own precious metal products that honor the state’s rich heritage. They are meticulously crafted under the direction of the Texas Bullion Depository and the state of Texas,” Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock said in a statement. They also “reflect that spirit, combining enduring Texas symbolism with precious metals of the highest purity,” he added.
The 2025 State of Texas Proof 70 commemorative coins are being released in 1 oz. gold bullion, gold proof and silver bullion.
“Struck in .9999 fine gold or .9999 silver and produced to the highest minting standards,” they are designed “to be timeless, official in appearance and instantly recognizable. While not legal tender, the coins are made from pure precious metals that serve as a store of value,” the comptroller’s office states.
The gold coin is available to purchase through the United States Gold Bureau, according to the TxBD. It is selling for $6,842 as of Dec. 29, according to the bureau. The silver coin is selling for $82.92, as of Dec. 29, according to the bureau.
A map of the state of Texas and the Gonzales Cannon are on one side of the coin.
The map highlights Texas’ diverse geography, from the Davis Mountains in the west, to the prairies, canyons, coastal plains and Gulf Coast shoreline. Future releases may introduce new obverse designs, metals and fractional weights next year, the comptroller’s office said.
On the reverse side of the coin is Texas’ Official Coat of Arms, an emblem first adopted by the Republic of Texas in 1839. It includes a lone star, oak and olive branches. (Whether the oak leaves are Spanish oak or post oak has been a subject of debate since 1839.)
Encircling the design is inscribed “THE STATE OF TEXAS,” the year of issue and “FRIENDSHIP,” the state motto.
“Texas” comes from a word used by Native Americans living in what is now deep east Texas who were encountered by Spanish missionaries arrived in New Spain in the late 1600s. The region was part of Spain at the time. The Spanish translated the word, “tejas,” understanding it to mean friend or ally. Tejas would later become Texas; its motto of friendship was adopted by the state legislature in 1930.
The Redback Gold Notes are inspired by promissory notes issued by the Republic of Texas in the late 1830s. They are issued in three weights: 5 centigram (cg), featuring the Texas longhorn; 20 cg, featuring the Texas State Capitol dome, and 100 cg, featuring the Alamo.
Each Redback is individually numbered, has the seal of the state of Texas and the signatures of the governor and acting comptroller. They are considered collectible precious metal products and are not legal tender.
The 2025 100 Modern Redback 24K Gold Foil Note is available to purchase for $278.58; the 20 Modern Redback is available to purchase for $55.68, as of Dec. 29, according to the bureau.
“Unlike their historical predecessors, the modern Redbacks are crafted with intrinsic value. Each note contains a precise, verifiable layer of 24-karat gold deposited onto a durable polymer substrate,” the comptroller’s office explains.
The TxBD says the coins “are not legal tender in the United States or any foreign country.” They are “issued solely for their commemorative, numismatic, and collectible value, not as an investment vehicle.” Purchasing the coins “carries inherent risk. There is no guarantee that a resale market currently exists or will exist in the future,” it states.
The value of redbacks “is based on its precious metal content and collectability, not a government issued face value.” They are ineligible to be stored by the TxBD and don’t qualify as an eligible collectible for the purposes of an IRA, the TxBD explains.
The state legislature created the TxBD 10 years ago when it passed HB 483, which Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law. In doing so, Abbott was the first governor, and Texas was the first state to create a state-administered precious metals depository in the country.
Under Hancock, the TxBD expanded this year. This fall, Hancock announced the TxBD began accepting precious metal IRA assets, The Center Square reported.
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Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.
