Texas Artist Appraisal

Republic of Texas Star Coin (Likely Replica or Commemorative)

The item is a circular metal coin, presenting a silvery-gray appearance consistent with an aged or circulated metallic composition, likely silver, nickel, or a similar alloy. The obverse side, visible in the image, features a prominent five-pointed star as its central motif. Radiating lines or rays emanate from behind the star, suggesting a sun or beacon-like design. The star itself appears somewhat raised or in high relief, while the surrounding field shows signs of wear, particularly on the raised portions of the design and lettering. Along the outer edge of the coin, there is text inscribed in an arc, although specific words are largely illegible due to resolution and wear; however, 'STATE' and 'TEXAS' are partially discernible around the top and bottom of the star's points, respectively. This strong textual indication and the star motif strongly suggest a historical Texas-related coinage or token, possibly a Republic of Texas-era coin or a similar commemorative piece. The surface exhibits a dull, oxidized patina with some dark spots, indicating age and environmental exposure. There are no obvious signs of recent cleaning or polishing, maintaining an original aged appearance. The edges are not visible in detail, but the overall shape is round and well-formed. The condition appears to be 'Good' to 'Very Good' based on the visible wear to the high points of the design and the legibility of the surrounding inscription. The craftsmanship appears consistent with period coinage, with a somewhat crude yet distinctive die strike. The specific date is not clearly visible but the style points towards a 19th-century origin.