User:Amakid36

Texas redbacks

I am a serious paper money collector especially the Government of Texas and Texas redback notes. These notes were issued during the time Texas was a republic. I have been collecting and studying these notes since 1990. I have even done my my own research at the Texas Archives in Austin, Texas.

I would like to add to the article on Texas redbacks but don't have the expertise or knowledge to edit. I do not understand all the technical "stuff." The sandbox really did not help me much. I also have some jpgs of my own money I would like to upload but don't know how. I would slso like to start a larger article on Texas money, including the Government of Texas notes, etc. So I am practicing here. If someone reads this maybe they could help me out by editing the real page for Texas redbacks for me.

There are only two "extensive" books on the collecting of Republic of Texas paper money, the hard to find Texas Obsolete Notes and Scrip by the late Bob Medlar of Lubbock and San Antonio, Texas, published and copyright in 1968 by the Society of Paper Money Collectors,Inc., Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 68-57685 and Texas Currency: A Catalogue 1813-1868, copyrighted 2006 by Joseph D. Olson of Waco, Texas. Both books are 204 pages long with black and white illustrations.

There is also a rare small book of 112 pages called Texas Confederate County Notes & Private Scrip by Hank Bieciuk of Kilgore, Texas and H.G. "Bill" Corbin of Tyler, Texas, copyrighted 1961. This is a comprehensive listing of currency printed, issued and used by Texas counties, cities and private individuals during the period of the Civil War.

The Texas redbacks were issued in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, and $500. The fronts were all printed in black ink on white paper and the backs were all printed in red on white paper. Hence they became known as Redbacks. There were, also, "change notes" issued at the same time in denominations of $1, $2 and $3 which had plain backs.

Known to all serious collectors of Texas paper money is the late Col. Grover C. Criswell, Jr. of Florida. It is his numbering system used most often in describing and selling Texas money. For example, The Texas redbacks and change notes are numbered and listed in all references for collectors as Cr. numbers A1-A9. Cr.A-1 is the $1 change note and Cr.A-9 is the $500 note. Hugh Schull of Camden, South Carolina is a serious dealer in these notes. Criswell and Schull have both put out books on collecting and selling Confederate and Southern States obsolete notes. Both autors have small sections of the collecting of Texas money.

There are two really good books on the finances of the Republic of Texas. They are The Fiscal History of Texas written in 1852 by William M. Gouge and The Financial History of Texas written in 1916 by Edmund T. Miller. Both these give a detail account of the republic's finances. They both explain the Compromise of 1850 and what that meant to Texas.

Texas was the only state in the nation that got to keep her public lands when she was annexed to the United States. This was done in order for Texas to pay off her own debts that she incurred while being a republic.

Lacking silver or gold mines, Texas was forced to issue audited drafts and paper money during her era of the Republic of Texas. Starting in 1835 she issued audited drafts in order to help finance the Texas Revolution with Mexico. After gaining independence in 1836, Texas resorted to issuing paper promisory notes to help finance the young republic.

"Redbacks" were issued from the early spring of 1839 until 1842 from Austin, Texas. Austin was the capital of the republic from January 19,1840 until September, 1842, and again from June, 1845 to the present. The most prolific issue of Texas money, the redback total issue is not known as many notes were reissued and were so stamped. It is known that the total is $3,552,800, not counting the reissues. This amount aslo includes the change notes. Ref: Miller.

On the front of the redbacks it says, "Twelve months after date (the dates were handwritten) the Republic of Texas promises to pay (the denomination was engraved on the front of the redback note) dollars to the bearer; Treasury Department, Receivable for all Government dues. They were then handwritten signatures for the Secretary of Treasury and President of the Republic. All redbacks have a signature of Mirabeau B. Lamar as President and J.H. [James Harper] Starr as Secretary of Treasure or James Webb as actg (handwritten for acting) Secretary of the Treasury in the first issues of redbacks in the early spring of 1839. The Webb signature notes are scarce.