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Here is the version of the 2013 Texas Capitol ornament available to the public for $20. This is the 18th ornament in the Capitol series and features the skylights of the legislative chambers of the Texas Senate and House of Representatives. The ornament, as well as ornaments from past years, can be purchased online at www.texascapitolgiftshop.com. Image courtesy of the Texas State Capitol Gift Shop.

Texas Capitol 2013 Christmas ornament auctioned for $5,176

Catherine Saunders-Watson
Catherine Saunders-Watson

Here is the version of the 2013 Texas Capitol ornament available to the public for $20. This is the 18th ornament in the Capitol series and features the skylights of the legislative chambers of the Texas Senate and House of Representatives. The ornament, as well as ornaments from past years, can be purchased online at www.texascapitolgiftshop.com. Image courtesy of the Texas State Capitol Gift Shop.
Here is the version of the 2013 Texas Capitol ornament available to the public for $20. This is the 18th ornament in the Capitol series and features the skylights of the legislative chambers of the Texas Senate and House of Representatives. The ornament, as well as ornaments from past years, can be purchased online at www.texascapitolgiftshop.com. Image courtesy of the Texas State Capitol Gift Shop.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – The brightest star on one Texas Christmas tree won’t be at the top.

State curators announced Monday that a commemorative 2013 Texas Capitol ornament has sold for $5,176 at auction. The undisclosed winner from Austin gets a one-of-a-kind, 24K gold-finished replica of the longtime best-seller in the Capitol gift shop.

The ornament features the Texas Star in the middle and was auctioned in celebration of the one-millionth Capitol ornament sold since 1996, according to the State Preservation Board.

Agency director John Sneed says the gift shop currently sells an average of 56,000 ornaments a year.

The money goes toward preservation efforts and education programs in the Capitol. Sneed says the agency was thrilled to see the winning bid sail past the $5,000 mark.

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ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE

Here is the version of the 2013 Texas Capitol ornament available to the public for $20. This is the 18th ornament in the Capitol series and features the skylights of the legislative chambers of the Texas Senate and House of Representatives. The ornament, as well as ornaments from past years, can be purchased online at www.texascapitolgiftshop.com. Image courtesy of the Texas State Capitol Gift Shop.
Here is the version of the 2013 Texas Capitol ornament available to the public for $20. This is the 18th ornament in the Capitol series and features the skylights of the legislative chambers of the Texas Senate and House of Representatives. The ornament, as well as ornaments from past years, can be purchased online at www.texascapitolgiftshop.com. Image courtesy of the Texas State Capitol Gift Shop.