Texas Ranger honored with silver and bronze medal

Just about every coin collector recognizes the Texas Rangers.

Few know about the individuals who served honorably in its ranks.

The latest medal to be authorized by the Texas Numismatic Association puts the spotlight on one such brave individual.

He is John C. Hays.

His portrait will appear on the obverse of the 2018 TNA medal.

According to Frank Galindo, the TNA medals officer, Hays was born Jan. 28, 1817, in Wilson County, Tennessee.

In 1836, he traveled to Texas.

Sam Houston had a close connection to the Hays family, so he appointed him to a company of Texas Rangers.

Hays soon became a leader and led the Rangers on several important campaigns against the violent attacks by the rebellious Indians, according to Galindo.

Ranger Captain Hays was one of the most daring and respected leaders of the Rangers.

The companies he led were comprised of Anglos, Tejanos and Indians, who served proudly in all ranks, from private to captain.

In the 1840s, they were often engaged in battles and clashes with several hostile Indian tribes, Mexican bandits, thieves, as well as horse and cattle rustlers.

Such were the dangers in a frontier land.

Hay’s renown was such that a county was named after him.

His monument stands on the Hays County Courthouse lawn in San Marcos, Texas.

Captain Hays died April 21, 1883, in California and is buried there.

He is remembered as a soldier, colonel, Freemason, sheriff, U.S. Indian Agent, surveyor, rancher and Texas Ranger.

The medal will come in silver and bronze versions.

Each will become available at the annual TNA convention June 1-3 in Arlington, Texas.

Orders for the 2018 TNA medal may be placed for the silver and bronze medal set for $49.50 postpaid, or single bronze medals can be purchased for $6.50 postpaid,.

Send a check or money order made payable to TNA to Frank Galindo, TNA Medals Officer, P.O. Box 12217, San Antonio, TX 78212-0217.

He also can be emailed at karfra1@netzero.net.

The medals will be mailed after the convention.

For collectors requesting insurance, there is an addition cost of $2.50 for the set.

For more information about the annual convention, follow this link to the TNA website.

Buzz blogger Dave Harper won the Numismatic Literary Guild Award for Best Blog for the third time in 2017 . He is editor of the weekly newspaper "Numismatic News."

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