Money of the Republic of TexasA Brief History

Today, everybody in the United States uses the same money. People in New York or California use the same money as you do in Texas. But in 1836 when Texas became an independent republic, it had no banks and no money.

Back then, cities like Houston and Austin created their own money and individual stores distributed money that could only be used at that store.

No coins, only paper

The Republic would not accept city or store money for taxes, so Texas decided to print its own money. This money could only be used to pay taxes or other government debts—

you could not buy groceries or clothing with it.

Because precious metal like gold and silver was scarce, the

Republic did not produce any coins. Instead, it printed bills for amounts like 12½ cents.

Worthless money

Since the Republic had no money and nothing to sell to the United States, Texas currency was often worthless both inside the Republic and out of it. For example, a $1 bill might only be worth two cents! Government employees were paid in Republic currency, but while they might get paid $100, they could only trade it for $2 worth of goods.

Private printers

Today, the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing prints all U.S. money in either Washington D.C. or in Fort Worth, Texas. But in the 1830s and 40s, private printing companies printed the money. For example, the Republic bills known as “redbacks” were printed by Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson in New Orleans. They advertised their name on all the bills they printed.

Images on bills

Money from the Republic of Texas used images that reflected common classical themes like commerce, industry, and agriculture.

Occasionally, the printers included an image specifically related to Texas, like the image of Deaf Smith on the $5 bill. The printers also included intricate designs on the bills to make it harder for counterfeiters to copy them.

Signed by hand

Finally, each bill was hand-signed by the president and treasurer of Texas, making the bill legal to use.

Image of 12 1/2 cent note from Criswell’s Currency Series, vol. 1, by Grover C. Criswell Jr. Image of dollar bills from Microsoft Office Online. All other images courtesy of Special Collections Division, the University of Texas at Arlington Libraries, Arlington, Texas. Information for this flyer came from the Handbook of Texas Online, s.v. “MONEY OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS,” http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/MM/mpmzv.html (accessed May 5, 2005).

U.S. dollar bills today.

1842 bill for 12 1/2 cents.

Back of $5 bill. Because of the red printing, these bills were called “redbacks”.

Detail from $5 bill. Portrait of Deaf Smith, a captain during the Texas Revolution.

Detail showing the mark of printers Rawdon, Wright, Hatch & Edson.

Signature of Mirabeau B. Lamar, president of the Republic of Texas.

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