The 25 Utah Goldback is a beautifully crafted currency, containing 1/40th Oz .9999 Fine Gold, and represents a groundbreaking milestone as the world's first voluntary currency made of small denomination, physical gold.
In 2011, the Utah Legal Tender Act marked a significant moment as the state became the first in recent times to recognize certain forms of gold as legal tender, reaffirming gold's official recognition as money. Since then, technological advancements have allowed for the minting of physical gold into a form suitable for small transactions. Utilizing cutting-edge vacuum deposition technology, each Goldback bill is layered with precise quantities of .9999 fine gold, creating a resilient and durable currency with pure gold sandwiched between polyester layers.
The Utah Goldback Series holds a special place in history as the first-ever Goldback Series produced. Renowned local Utah artist Cheri Jensen, despite being blind in one eye, skillfully depicted the series, presenting a somewhat chronological story of Utah's journey. From pivotal moments preceding the settlement of the Mormon Pioneers to the settlement itself and significant historical events, the series captures Utah's rich heritage. Ultimately, it culminates in an idyllic representation of an aspirational future, symbolizing transcendence by applying featured virtues.
The 25 Goldback Design showcases the Lady Virtue Victoria, also known as Victory, paying tribute to women's voting rights. As the inaugural design of the series, it serves as the artist's audition piece. Victoria proudly holds a banner proclaiming "Votes Counting Since 1870," acknowledging that women in Utah were voting even before the state's official establishment. Utah was the first state where a woman cast a vote (Seraph Young), closely followed by Wyoming granting women's suffrage a few months earlier.
This particular Goldback design highlights Utah women's remarkable achievements, including their teaching role and Martha Hughes Cannon becoming the first woman State Senator in 1911. Accompanying Victoria is a child, symbolizing the many women who marched for suffrage with their children and emphasizing the importance of instilling truth in future generations. The child carries a branch, representing the responsibility of tomorrow's stewardship and how today's victories contribute to shaping the future.
The design's message urges viewers to "Go on to Victory." The backdrop portrays the picturesque mountainscape of Alpine, Utah, visible through the window of the building where the designs were created. The flag in Victory's left-hand features the Chi-Rao Greek symbol for Christ, acknowledging the women's belief in divine assistance in pursuing freedom. In her right hand, she holds bundled wheat, symbolizing the aggregation of small victories into a significant and influential whole. Soaring in the background, a falcon represents faithful actions and the hope of reclaiming cherished aspects of life.
The path on which Victory stands is flanked by a stone wall on one side, signifying the gradual construction of good through incremental victories, and aspen trees on the other side, symbolizing the interconnectedness and shared heritage of humanity, especially through the women who bring each child into the world.
Goldbacks possess intrinsic value and can be used for barter transactions with anyone who recognizes the worth of gold. The 25 Utah Goldback encapsulates the spirit of Utah's history and the triumphs achieved through perseverance, fortitude, and the pursuit of equality. It serves as a tangible testament to the contributions of women and invites us to honor the past while striving for even greater victories in the future.
