AFFORDABLE GOLD

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2025 OKLAHOMA GOLDBACK NOTES

Goldback Aurum notes are a voluntary local currency made of 24 karat gold! Each wafer-thin note is coated with a protective plastic coating so it can be circulated without the gold tearing. They are issued in increments of 1/1000 troy ounce of gold in order to allow for small purchases. 1 Goldback is 1/1000 troy ounce of gold.  The 1 Goldback note is approximately 66x117mm.  The notes are printed on one side only, with intricate multi-color allegorical style designs.  Recently 2025 dated Goldback notes were released for Oklahoma.

The 1 Oklahoma Goldback honors Perseverantia, or Perseverance, through a vivid depiction of the Land Run of 1889. A young pioneer woman charges forward on horseback, land stake in hand, driven by the promise of a new beginning. Surrounding her are symbols of resilience from native wildflowers to Oklahoma’s state bird, capturing the daring ambition that built entire towns from dust.

The 2 Oklahoma Goldback features Benevolentia, or Kindness, through the gentle strength of Indigenous motherhood. A Cherokee woman in traditional dress carries a harvest basket filled with corn, beans, squash, and strawberries—symbols of life and renewal. Set in the fertile valleys of Tahlequah, this design honors matriarchs, generational wisdom, and the enduring bond between people and land.

The 5 Oklahoma Goldback honors Industria, or Industry, through the story of the Glenpool Oil Strike of 1905. A young woman walks the oil fields with purpose, her tool belt marked “1905” and her expression filled with pride. Bees hover nearby, symbolizing teamwork and transformation. The image reflects Oklahoma’s rise from farmland to energy powerhouse.

The 10 Oklahoma Goldback celebrates Unitas, or Unity, through the vibrant tradition of an intertribal powwow. A woman performs the Fancy Shawl Dance while a male dancer moves behind her in a whirlwind of color and rhythm. Surrounded by hummingbirds, butterflies, and buffalo, this scene honors Oklahoma’s deep Indigenous heritage and the strength that comes from shared purpose.

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2025 FLORIDA GOLDBACK NOTES

The popular Goldback series continued in 2025 with the introduction of the Florida Goldback. Goldback notes are a voluntary local currency made of 24 karat gold! Each wafer-thin note has a protective plastic coating. They are issued in increments of 1/1000 troy ounce of gold in order to allow for small purchases. The 1 Goldback note contains 1/1000 troy ounce of gold and measures 66x117mm.  The notes are printed on one side only, with intricate multi-color allegorical designs. 

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PREVIOUS 1 GOLDBACK NOTES  

Goldback Aurum notes are a voluntary local currency made of 24 karat gold! Each wafer-thin note is coated with a protective plastic coating so it can be circulated without the gold tearing. They are issued in increments of 1/1000 troy ounce of gold in order to allow for small purchases. Each 1 Goldback note contains 1/1000 troy ounce of gold and measures 66x117mm.  The notes are printed on one side only, with intricate multi-color allegorical style designs. 

The first goldback was the Utah 1 Goldback released  in 2019.  It features Prudence as a Native American seated on a sandstone rock next to an ancient bristle-cone pine tree.

The Nevada 1 Goldback depicts Charity patterned after a depiction of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Austin, Nevada.  Catholicism is Nevada’s most dominant religion and St. Augustine’s is the oldest Catholic Church building in the state. Like all Goldback designs, the art contains many levels of symbolism.  Some major symbols of Charity featured include: the Sierra Nevada Lily, which is in the container below Mary’s feet to the right; the Mary Magdalene Rose, in the container on the left; cherubs crowning Mary and Burning Hearts to either side of her; Charity’s lit candle in her hand, and Nevada’s sun, rising over the mountains seen through the window behind her. The window sill and the columns on each side of the design, are each inspired from St. Mary of the Mountains Catholic Cathedral in Virginia City.


The New Hampshire 1 Goldback depicts Grace as an Abenaki Native American woman wearing traditional dress and beads in front of her wigwam.. Below is a River Otter representing resourcefulness and finding joy in the moment with both attributes being key parts of grace. Also incorporated into the design are elements ofthe Jewish Feast of Trumpets, Rosh Hashanah, being celebrated alongside the Thanksgiving Holiday. These include the Shofar trumpet next to the wigwam door, the pumpkin, corn, beans, chestnuts, and honeycomb represented by the beehive in the tree.

The Wyoming 1 Goldback features Reverentia, or Reverence as a  Shoshone woman wearing a traditional buckskin dress.  A Bald Eagle is perched on her arm.  In the forground are sunflowers.  In the background is a bison and the formation known as Devil's Tower.

South Dakota became the fifth state to have a Goldback note. The  South Dakota 1 Goldback note depicts Pax or Peace as a Lakota Sioux woman in traditional regalia performing the hoop dance.  Also in the design is Bear Butte, a sacred mountain also known as Mato Paha, an eagle, buffalo, wolf, a traditional Cancega drum and a Prairie Crocus. 

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INEXPENSIVE OLD GOLD COIN OF THE SHOGUNS OF JAPAN  

The Gold 2 Shu (Nishu) was minted from 1860 until 1869. It was one of the last coins issued by the once powerful Shoguns who ruled Japan until 1867.   The rectangular coin is approximately 11.5mm x 6.5mm and struck in an alloy of 23% gold, 77% silver.  Despite being over 150 years old it is one of the least expensive gold coins available to collectors today.

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RECTANGULAR GOLD COIN FROM THE MEIJI RESTORATION OF JAPAN  

This rectangular gold 2 Bu (Ni Bu) was minted in Japan from 1867 to 1869. It was one of the first coins of the Meiji Restoration. The Meiji Restoration overthew the highly traditional and once powerful Shogun warlords and restored the Emperor as the center of the Japanese government.  The Meiji restoration was also a modernization movement, that opened Japan to western ideas. A few years after this coin was introduced, Japan adopted western style round coins, so these coins were soon withdrawn from circulation and many were melted.    The coin weighs approximately 3 grams and is struck in .223 fine gold.   It is an interesting and historic gold coin that represents the end of Japan's traditional ways under the Shoguns and the introduction of new ways under the Meiji Restoration.

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UNUSUAL PALAU GOLD COINS

The Pacific Island nation of Palau authorized a series of tiny legal tender gold 1 Dollar coins in rather unusual shapes: a steam engine, football, basketball and a beer mug (probably need the beer to go with the sports themed coins).  Each coin contains 1/2 gram of .9999 fine gold and is approximately 14mm in diameter. The obverse includes Palau's coat of arms and the denomination.  The coins are undated. The coins were struck by the renowned German mint of B. H. Mayer in Proof.  Only 15,000 of each were minted. Each coin comes in a protective capsule. The unique, fun designs make them excellent gifts for both collectors and non-collectors.

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