Owning a piece of Texas history could mean a lot of things. People can own land or a ranch, or a historical building, which have historical significance. After Texas won its independence from Mexico, it was its own country with its own sovereignty as the Republic of Texas. Texas also had its own currency before becoming the 28th state of the United States in 1845. It is this Texas currency and other Texas related documents from the 1800s that will appeal to certain collectors.

Heritage Auctions is a trusted auction source of historical documents and currency, and they are holding a February 20 auction titled The Powell Texas Currency Collection Part II Showcase Auction. This auction has numerous showpiece items, including many currency items that are not just from what used to be the Texas government — it also includes many regional items that may have a much more focused interest at the local level.

Collectors Dashboard evaluates high-end collectibles as an alternative asset class. This means collectibles are attracting the same capital that could have been invested into stocks or bonds. Many collectibles now cost thousands of dollars (or much more). Whether these items from Texas are being targeted by investors remains to be seen, but the estimates will make this museum-worthy collection stand out among collectors.

Images below by Heritage Auctions.

Listed in the Powell Texas Currency Collection is an important settlement of Texas Monetary Document — San Felipe de Austin, TX- S(tephen) F. Austin $50 Receipt Jan. 2, 1830 Olson 30 Extremely Fine with an opening bid of $1,750.00. An IOU recipe to pay colonizer and “Father of Texas” Stephan F. Austin $50.00 in two payments. The estimate is $3,500.00+ and this is one of the showpieces of the auction.

There is also a (Washington-on-the-Brazos), TX- (Texas) Declaration of Independence Broadside listed as a forgery. It is dated March 2, 1836 and is listed as Streeter 165 Very Fine. Its estimate was “$3,000 – up” and it had a $1,500 bid with 2 days remaining.

It is important to note why the nature of the “forgery” and historical significance of this Declaration up for auction. The Heritage Auction description says:

The Texas Declaration of Independence was written and issued by the Convention of 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos. George C. Childress was named chairman of the committee of five to write the declaration. It is believed that Childress brought to the convention a proposed declaration that was adopted with little change by either the committee or convention. This is because the committee was appointed on March 1 and the Declaration was presented to the convention on March 2. It was approved without debate and signed by 59 delegates plus Convention Secretary Herbert S. Kimble. Then it was printed by Baker and Bordens at San Felipe de Austin. The Texas Declaration of Independence describes the nature of government, lists grievances, and ends with a declaration of independence from the “Mexican nation” and “that the people of Texas, do now constitute a Free, Sovereign, and Independent Republic.”

The Texas Declaration of Independence forgery discussion is found on pages 102-106 in the 1991 reference Texfake by W. Thomas Taylor. In fact, the front and back covers of this excellent tome consist of a forged Texas Declaration of Independence. Importantly, Mr. Taylor lists 12 genuine copies with only three in private hands, with the other nine residing at the Alamo Museum, Southern Methodist University, University of Texas at Austin (4), Texas State Library, University of Texas at Arlington, and Yale University. Mr. Taylor also lists 10 traced forgeries plus two untraced forgeries. Our consignor states that the forgery in this lot is listed as forgery number 5 on page 105.

Sam Houston Signed Austin, TX- Treasury Warrant for $92.29 signed Dec. 22, 1860 Cr. AW-16 Medlar 146 PMG Very Fine 30 Net with a current bid of $1,050.00 and an estimate of $750.00+.

William Bryan partially printed document signed as Texas consul for New Orleans Feb. 27, 1839 4 total pages not graded with an opening bid of $1,000.00 and an estimate of $2,000.00+.

(Houston), TX- Republic of Texas Land Grant 320 Acres Feb. 15, 1838 Very Good-Fine with a current bid of $750.00 and an estimate of $1,500.00+.

Hallettsville, TX- T.B. Foster $3 Jan. 1862 Medlar UNL PMG Choice Fine 15 with an opening bid of $750.00 and an estimate of $1,500.00+.

Moses Austin Signed Promissory Note St. Genevieve, (MO) $3.50 Aug. 29, 1801 Very Fine. Mosses Austin was the father of Texas pioneer Stephan F. Austin. Opening bid is $500.00 and an estimate of $1,000.00+.

Austin, TX- City of Austin $3 ND Medlar 173 PMG Fine 12 with an opening bid of $500.00 and an estimate of $1,000.00+.

New Braunfels, TX- City of New Braunfels $1 Oct. 10, 1862 Medlar UNL PMG Very Fine 25 with a current bid of $500.00 and an estimate of $1,000.00+.

Sam Houston Signed Austin, TX- Treasury Warrant $200 Dec. 3, 1860 Cr. AW16 Medlar 147 PMG Choice Fine 15 Net with a current bid of $480.00 and an estimate of $700.00+.

Austin, TX- Republic of Texas Certificates of Stock $100 June 15, 1840 Cr. 40E Very Fine-Extremely Fine, CC with a current bid of $480.00 and an estimate of $500.00+.

Galveston, TX- Commercial and Agricultural Bank of Texas Counterfeit $1 Jan. 1, 1848 as G2 as Medlar 3 PMG Choice Fine 15 graded.

Items that label Texas a country will always be collectible. How much of a classical investment case can be applied may be more difficult because the items may appeal to a smaller demographic than if this was a national currency auction. Either way, at a minimum this Powell Texas Currency Auction is an opportunity for unique office decorations, unique story pieces for a home, or items which could be displayed in public.

Collectors Dashboard would point out that while many of these notes are not comparable to trophy coins and other broader numismatic collecting of the present day, it still represents a reasonable price opportunity to own famous Texan signatures and to own a part of Texas history.