Mintages and Artwork

The Florida Half Goldback honors the virtue “Spes” (Hope) through the figure of a Spanish conquistador, kneeling before the mythical Fountain of Youth. She wears the fleur-de-lis emblem, representing the era of exploration when France briefly established a foothold in Florida with the Huguenots’ settlement of Fort Caroline near present-day Jacksonville. The settlement was later overtaken by the Spanish in 1565.

The year 1513 is etched in stone nearby, commemorating Juan Ponce de León’s voyage to Florida. He was inspired by Timucua legends of a spring believed to restore youth. This scene weaves together history and myth, portraying the conquistador’s hopeful quest for the rejuvenating spring and symbolizing humanity’s enduring pursuit of renewal and possibility.

Although Ponce de León never founded a settlement, his expedition paved the way for Spain’s continued exploration, culminating in Pedro Menéndez de Avilés founding St. Augustine in 1565—the oldest permanent European settlement in the United States. Set within a lush, tropical landscape, the artwork features Florida’s Zebra Longwing butterfly, a symbol of transformation. The resilient mockingbird, signifying perseverance, reflects explorers’ ambitions and the beauty of the New World.

A Florida Cracker horse—first introduced by the Spanish and later designated as the state’s official horse—stands beside Spes, symbolizing the endurance required on such treacherous journeys. At the water’s edge, a conch shell pays homage to the Timucua, whose heritage was deeply connected to the land and sea. The shell, used in rituals and communication, honors Florida’s indigenous culture that thrived before European contact.

This artwork, rich in symbolism, highlights the universal quest for renewal. The enduring principle, “Blessed are the meek,” honors those who humbly explore the unknown. It celebrates Florida’s history and the lasting legacy of St. Augustine as the birthplace of European settlement in the United States.

The limited early release Florida One Goldback introduces the virtue “Tranquilitas” (Tranquility), a symbol of peace and serenity. She wades gracefully through the clear, vibrant waters of Florida’s coast, home to the world’s third-largest coral reef. Known for its biodiversity, this reef has been a vital part of the ecosystem, supporting marine life such as fish, sea turtles, and coral species native to the region. The coral reef represents Florida’s natural heritage and celebrates the state’s role in preserving this delicate underwater world.

The vibrant setting also exemplifies Florida’s long-standing relationship with the sea. For centuries, the state’s coasts have been a hub of maritime history, from early Spanish explorers navigating its waters to modern-day marine conservation efforts. The ship drifting in the background, under calm skies and placid waters, reflects Florida’s identity as both a center for adventure and a haven of relaxation. The soft breeze that carries through Tranquilitas’ hair mirrors the gentle winds that have long guided sailors through these coastal waters.

The scene is completed with swaying palm trees and a radiant sun on the horizon, calling attention to Florida’s nickname the “Sunshine State.” The resilient trees, like the people of Florida, have weathered countless storms yet continue to stand tall. The flowers in Tranquilitas’ hand—plumerias—carry the symbolism of love, beauty, and serenity, offering a message of harmony between people and nature. The artwork, with its calming seascape and radiant wildlife, echoes the sentiment, “calm waters, calm mind.”

Caritas, or Charity, is the Virtue beautifully featured on Nevada’s 1 Goldback Denomination. This is her first appearance on a Goldback Design, and is notably 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, the candlestick in the right corner of 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, (now, Saint Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church & Museum), which was also an inspiration for this artwork. The window below Mary’s dress hides the word “Love”, the symbol of a square, a compass, a wagon wheel, and rosary beads. The viewer will also note the ash tree, symbolizing marriage and Las Vegas’s status as the marriage capital of the world; and a family of ring-necked pheasants, which showcase the selfless acts of nurture and protecting their family and young.

The Florida One Goldback depicts the virtue “Harmonia” (Harmony) through the figure of a Spanish settler, embodying the delicate balance between nature, culture, and history during Florida’s early colonization. She wears cross-shaped earrings, representing the Catholic faith the Spanish settlers carried with them on their voyages. Founded in 1565, St. Augustine stands as a central element in this image, symbolizing the determination of settlers who laid the foundations of European civilization in the New World. In the background, the historic Castillo de San Marcos stands as a powerful emblem of strength. Built between 1672 and 1695 to protect St. Augustine, this fort is the oldest European settlement in the United States. It serves as a reminder of the settlers’ determination to preserve their foothold in “La Florida.” A Spanish galleon sails on the horizon, flying the Florida Flag and the Spanish Cross—a testament to the bravery of those who journeyed across the seas to a new world.

Lush native flora surrounds Harmonia, illustrating the settlers’ efforts to coexist with Florida’s natural beauty. The sabal palm, Florida’s state tree, represents endurance and resilience, mirroring the settlers’ spirit. The orange tree, bearing Florida’s state fruit, signifies the state’s agricultural legacy and economic growth. St. Augustine, believed to be the site of the first orange trees in Florida, marked the beginning of a citrus industry that would become central to the state’s economy. The orange blossom, Florida’s state flower, adds a touch of grace to the scene, symbolizing renewal and growth.

In the foreground, a Spanish guitar bears the engraving “Terra Incognita,” meaning “unknown land,” one of the earliest names given to Florida. This latin phrase reiterates the courage it took to enter uncharted territory. The guitar, an icon of Spanish culture, serves as a bridge between the settlers’ heritage and the unfamiliar world they encountered, reflecting the merging of Old and New World traditions.

From the flamingo to the orange tree, each detail signifies the settlers’ success in building a life in harmony with their surroundings. Harmonia stands as a tribute to the enduring legacy of those who embraced both land and culture in Florida, affirming the principle that there is “honor in discovery.”

Caritas, or Charity, is the Virtue beautifully featured on Nevada’s 1 Goldback Denomination. This is her first appearance on a Goldback Design, and is notably 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, the candlestick in the right corner of 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, (now, Saint Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church & Museum), which was also an inspiration for this artwork. The window below Mary’s dress hides the word “Love”, the symbol of a square, a compass, a wagon wheel, and rosary beads. The viewer will also note the ash tree, symbolizing marriage and Las Vegas’s status as the marriage capital of the world; and a family of ring-necked pheasants, which showcase the selfless acts of nurture and protecting their family and young.

The Utah Goldback Series begins with the 1 Goldback Design, and it is loaded with different symbols and cultural nods. The virtue Prudentiae, or Prudence, is featured here as a Native American woman, having many items and attributes traditionally attributed to coming from each of the five most prominent Native American tribes in Utah, namely: the Ute, Paiute, Goshute, Shoshone, and the Navajo. Prudence is seated on a sandstone rock next to an ancient bristle-cone pine tree (one of the longest lived trees in the world), nodding to the throne that Prudence is traditionally seated upon, an elevated status as a virtue from which many virtues claim their origin, and the wisdom learned through the ages.

She is gazing into a mirror held in one hand, symbolizing perspective, learning from experience and using hindsight. On her other wrist is a copper bracelet in the form of a snake, representing the struggle of trials as well as using wisdom to make choices. At her feet is a chipmunk, suggesting the preparations that they make each year ahead of winter as a symbol of prudence through preparedness. The wolf is next to her, calling out to all who listen to use prudence, and how the use of gold is a keystone to an economy, just how the wolves of Yellowstone are keystone predators, and the removal of either has shown a deterioration of their surroundings. The footing: “Deal Prudently” can also be found in the bottom right corner of the artwork. Finally, in the background Bryce Canyon National Park’s Natural Bridge formation is shown with Canada geese flying in formation.

In her first appearance on a Goldback series, Reverentia, or Reverence/Respect, is featured on the Wyoming 1 Goldback Denomination. She is depicted in this design as a Shoshone Native American woman wearing a traditional buckskin dress and standing in Wyoming’s Northeastern plains region. Below her the caption reads “Revere what is Sacred”. Her hair has been left free to blow in the wind and lends to the overall feeling of freedom. This freedom is given deeper meaning when one understands that the bald eagle perched on her arm with falconry gear represents a messenger from the Creator, and that the freedom that the creations enjoy go hand in hand with the respect and reverence to the Creator for them. In this design, Reverentia is surrounded by sunflowers, a representation of life and beauty as a direct result from keeping our face toward the sun, absorbing the light and life that comes from it, and letting it shine through us.

The formation that we call Devil’s Tower, or Mato Tipila (meaning Bear Lodge or Bear Rock), is in the background. Mato Tipila is a sacred site to many Native Americans in the region. The origin story of its formation that is represented here involves seven girls, represented in this design by the seven ladybugs on the sunflowers, praying to the Great Spirit to save them from bears that were chasing them. In answer to their prayer, the Great Spirit made the formation raise them up toward heaven and out of the bears’ grasp. As the formation grew from the ground, the bears scratched its sides while trying to get to the girls, which gave it the markings that we see today. When the girls were raised up high enough, they were turned into the constellation of the Pleiades.

Behind Reverentia stands an American Bison, and in the foreground is a bison skull. The bison is a state specific symbol for Wyoming, but also nods to the Tribe Logos of both the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho. It is a very important animal for the region historically. In this design it represents the strength, abundance, and stability, found in freedom, consistency, and centeredness. The placement of the live bison and bison skull are purposefully placed to spark thoughts of the cyclical and symbiotic nature of the life and death that both come before us and follow after us. When one recognizes that Reverentia is placed in the middle of that representation, it further underscores the importance of having peace and respect for that ever present cycle in the now.

In her first appearance on a Goldback series, Reverentia, or Reverence/Respect, is featured on the Wyoming 1 Goldback Denomination. She is depicted in this design as a Shoshone Native American woman wearing a traditional buckskin dress and standing in Wyoming’s Northeastern plains region. Below her the caption reads “Revere what is Sacred”. Her hair has been left free to blow in the wind and lends to the overall feeling of freedom. This freedom is given deeper meaning when one understands that the bald eagle perched on her arm with falconry gear represents a messenger from the Creator, and that the freedom that the creations enjoy go hand in hand with the respect and reverence to the Creator for them. In this design, Reverentia is surrounded by sunflowers, a representation of life and beauty as a direct result from keeping our face toward the sun, absorbing the light and life that comes from it, and letting it shine through us.

The formation that we call Devil’s Tower, or Mato Tipila (meaning Bear Lodge or Bear Rock), is in the background. Mato Tipila is a sacred site to many Native Americans in the region. The origin story of its formation that is represented here involves seven girls, represented in this design by the seven ladybugs on the sunflowers, praying to the Great Spirit to save them from bears that were chasing them. In answer to their prayer, the Great Spirit made the formation raise them up toward heaven and out of the bears’ grasp. As the formation grew from the ground, the bears scratched its sides while trying to get to the girls, which gave it the markings that we see today. When the girls were raised up high enough, they were turned into the constellation of the Pleiades.

Behind Reverentia stands an American Bison, and in the foreground is a bison skull. The bison is a state specific symbol for Wyoming, but also nods to the Tribe Logos of both the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho. It is a very important animal for the region historically. In this design it represents the strength, abundance, and stability, found in freedom, consistency, and centeredness. The placement of the live bison and bison skull are purposefully placed to spark thoughts of the cyclical and symbiotic nature of the life and death that both come before us and follow after us. When one recognizes that Reverentia is placed in the middle of that representation, it further underscores the importance of having peace and respect for that ever present cycle in the now.

In her first appearance on a Goldback series, Gratia, or Grace, is featured on the New Hampshire 1 Goldback Denomination. She is depicted as an Abenaki Native American woman from the Algonquin tribes, who have history in the area. She is wearing a traditional dress and beads in front of an Abenaki wigwam. She is accompanied by a river otter, representing resourcefulness and finding joy in the moment with both attributes being key parts of grace and leading a balanced life. Also present in the symbolism of this design are many elements of Jewish and Christian cultures. This design particularly indicates the Jewish Festival/Feast of Trumpets, Rosh Hashanah, being celebrated alongside the Thanksgiving Holiday. Elements of these celebrations include: the Shofar trumpet next to the wigwam door, the pumpkin, corn, beans, chestnuts, and honeycomb represented by the beehive in the tree.

Gratia can be seen gathering chestnuts and pondering, with the caption below reading “Give Thanks”. This is to acknowledge that the bounties that we are provided with must be worked for to be gathered in, but that we should also be thankful for them. Additionally, the chestnuts remain uncracked, more deeply symbolizing the work needing to be done by the founding fathers of the United States of America in order to bring about the nation where we could enjoy the freedoms that we do. One of the reasons that Thanksgiving Day is represented in the New Hampshire series here is because of Sarah Joseph, a native resident of New Hampshire, who was key in bringing Thanksgiving Day about as a national holiday. In the background are elements nodding to, and representing, the many ancient artifacts and “American Stonehenge” that can both be found in New Hampshire and indicate the rich cultural heritage of the area that predates more modern colonization.

Caritas, or Charity, is the Virtue beautifully featured on Nevada’s 1 Goldback Denomination. This is her first appearance on a Goldback Design, and is notably 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, the candlestick in the right corner of 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, (now, Saint Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church & Museum), which was also an inspiration for this artwork. The window below Mary’s dress hides the word “Love”, the symbol of a square, a compass, a wagon wheel, and rosary beads. The viewer will also note the ash tree, symbolizing marriage and Las Vegas’s status as the marriage capital of the world; and a family of ring-necked pheasants, which showcase the selfless acts of nurture and protecting their family and young.

The Utah Goldback Series begins with the 1 Goldback Design, and it is loaded with different symbols and cultural nods. The virtue Prudentiae, or Prudence, is featured here as a Native American woman, having many items and attributes traditionally attributed to coming from each of the five most prominent Native American tribes in Utah, namely: the Ute, Paiute, Goshute, Shoshone, and the Navajo. Prudence is seated on a sandstone rock next to an ancient bristle-cone pine tree (one of the longest lived trees in the world), nodding to the throne that Prudence is traditionally seated upon, an elevated status as a virtue from which many virtues claim their origin, and the wisdom learned through the ages.

She is gazing into a mirror held in one hand, symbolizing perspective, learning from experience and using hindsight. On her other wrist is a copper bracelet in the form of a snake, representing the struggle of trials as well as using wisdom to make choices. At her feet is a chipmunk, suggesting the preparations that they make each year ahead of winter as a symbol of prudence through preparedness. The wolf is next to her, calling out to all who listen to use prudence, and how the use of gold is a keystone to an economy, just how the wolves of Yellowstone are keystone predators, and the removal of either has shown a deterioration of their surroundings. The footing: “Deal Prudently” can also be found in the bottom right corner of the artwork. Finally, in the background Bryce Canyon National Park’s Natural Bridge formation is shown with Canada geese flying in formation.

The Utah Goldback Series begins with the 1 Goldback Design, and it is loaded with different symbols and cultural nods. The virtue Prudentiae, or Prudence, is featured here as a Native American woman, having many items and attributes traditionally attributed to coming from each of the five most prominent Native American tribes in Utah, namely: the Ute, Paiute, Goshute, Shoshone, and the Navajo. Prudence is seated on a sandstone rock next to an ancient bristle-cone pine tree (one of the longest lived trees in the world), nodding to the throne that Prudence is traditionally seated upon, an elevated status as a virtue from which many virtues claim their origin, and the wisdom learned through the ages.

She is gazing into a mirror held in one hand, symbolizing perspective, learning from experience and using hindsight. On her other wrist is a copper bracelet in the form of a snake, representing the struggle of trials as well as using wisdom to make choices. At her feet is a chipmunk, suggesting the preparations that they make each year ahead of winter as a symbol of prudence through preparedness. The wolf is next to her, calling out to all who listen to use prudence, and how the use of gold is a keystone to an economy, just how the wolves of Yellowstone are keystone predators, and the removal of either has shown a deterioration of their surroundings. The footing: “Deal Prudently” can also be found in the bottom right corner of the artwork. Finally, in the background Bryce Canyon National Park’s Natural Bridge formation is shown with Canada geese flying in formation.

The Utah Goldback Series begins with the 1 Goldback Design, and it is loaded with different symbols and cultural nods. The virtue Prudentiae, or Prudence, is featured here as a Native American woman, having many items and attributes traditionally attributed to coming from each of the five most prominent Native American tribes in Utah, namely: the Ute, Paiute, Goshute, Shoshone, and the Navajo. Prudence is seated on a sandstone rock next to an ancient bristle-cone pine tree (one of the longest lived trees in the world), nodding to the throne that Prudence is traditionally seated upon, an elevated status as a virtue from which many virtues claim their origin, and the wisdom learned through the ages.

She is gazing into a mirror held in one hand, symbolizing perspective, learning from experience and using hindsight. On her other wrist is a copper bracelet in the form of a snake, representing the struggle of trials as well as using wisdom to make choices. At her feet is a chipmunk, suggesting the preparations that they make each year ahead of winter as a symbol of prudence through preparedness. The wolf is next to her, calling out to all who listen to use prudence, and how the use of gold is a keystone to an economy, just how the wolves of Yellowstone are keystone predators, and the removal of either has shown a deterioration of their surroundings. The footing: “Deal Prudently” can also be found in the bottom right corner of the artwork. Finally, in the background Bryce Canyon National Park’s Natural Bridge formation is shown with Canada geese flying in formation.

In her first appearance on a Goldback series, Gratia, or Grace, is featured on the New Hampshire 1 Goldback Denomination. She is depicted as an Abenaki Native American woman from the Algonquin tribes, who have history in the area. She is wearing a traditional dress and beads in front of an Abenaki wigwam. She is accompanied by a river otter, representing resourcefulness and finding joy in the moment with both attributes being key parts of grace and leading a balanced life. Also present in the symbolism of this design are many elements of Jewish and Christian cultures. This design particularly indicates the Jewish Festival/Feast of Trumpets, Rosh Hashanah, being celebrated alongside the Thanksgiving Holiday. Elements of these celebrations include: the Shofar trumpet next to the wigwam door, the pumpkin, corn, beans, chestnuts, and honeycomb represented by the beehive in the tree.

Gratia can be seen gathering chestnuts and pondering, with the caption below reading “Give Thanks”. This is to acknowledge that the bounties that we are provided with must be worked for to be gathered in, but that we should also be thankful for them. Additionally, the chestnuts remain uncracked, more deeply symbolizing the work needing to be done by the founding fathers of the United States of America in order to bring about the nation where we could enjoy the freedoms that we do. One of the reasons that Thanksgiving Day is represented in the New Hampshire series here is because of Sarah Joseph, a native resident of New Hampshire, who was key in bringing Thanksgiving Day about as a national holiday. In the background are elements nodding to, and representing, the many ancient artifacts and “American Stonehenge” that can both be found in New Hampshire and indicate the rich cultural heritage of the area that predates more modern colonization.

In her first appearance on a Goldback series, Pax, or Peace, is featured on the South Dakota 1 Goldback Denomination. She is depicted in this design as a Lakota Native American woman wearing traditional regalia and hoop dancing as demonstrated in person to the artist during her time researching in the state. The inspiration for this virtue of peace came directly from the speech and demonstration given by the Lakota performer that day. She explained that she had made her own regalia and that it represented her name, tribe, family, heritage and stories as well as her own personal passions. She further explained that the name of her heritage, Lakota, as well as the nearby Nakota and Dakota are the words in their similar native languages that they call themselves and they mean “The Friendly Ones”. The artist was deeply inspired by this message and a more generally known translation of “Alliance of Friends” was used to represent this sentiment on a banner toward the bottom of the 1 Goldback Denomination.

While demonstrating the hoop dance, this woman described the importance of finding and creating peace with everything around her by treating them as friends and relatives, and stressed that true peace can come from doing so with every person no matter their creed, race, age, or other differences, as well as by including animals, plants, and even the elements in this same fashion. In this piece, the viewer can see many representations of these impressions, from the sacred Bear Butte, or “Mato Paha” formation in the background to the animals that surround the Virtue of Peace.

In addition to the traditional cancega drum depicted with the Sacred Hoop or Medicine wheel, the careful viewer will also see the representation of the seven sacred elements that were explained to the artist: land, air, water, rocks, animals, plants, and fire. Also, in the bottom right corner one can see the Prairie Crocus, or Pasque flower, appearing as a symbol of the cyclical seasons of life, in theme with the symbolism of the hoops and cancega. It is known for being the first plant to bloom in the spring, and to live out all the cycles of its life in a matter of two weeks, so much like our short lives on this earth with many generations before us on whose shoulders we stand. In many ways, peace is a choice that comes from being in harmony with those people and things around us, just as the Lakota woman explained to the artist. Through the words at Pax’s feet, the South Dakota 1 Goldback Denomination echoes her words and invites all who see it to “Seek Peace”.

The Utah Goldback Series begins with the 1 Goldback Design, and it is loaded with different symbols and cultural nods. The virtue Prudentiae, or Prudence, is featured here as a Native American woman, having many items and attributes traditionally attributed to coming from each of the five most prominent Native American tribes in Utah, namely: the Ute, Paiute, Goshute, Shoshone, and the Navajo. Prudence is seated on a sandstone rock next to an ancient bristle-cone pine tree (one of the longest lived trees in the world), nodding to the throne that Prudence is traditionally seated upon, an elevated status as a virtue from which many virtues claim their origin, and the wisdom learned through the ages.

She is gazing into a mirror held in one hand, symbolizing perspective, learning from experience and using hindsight. On her other wrist is a copper bracelet in the form of a snake, representing the struggle of trials as well as using wisdom to make choices. At her feet is a chipmunk, suggesting the preparations that they make each year ahead of winter as a symbol of prudence through preparedness. The wolf is next to her, calling out to all who listen to use prudence, and how the use of gold is a keystone to an economy, just how the wolves of Yellowstone are keystone predators, and the removal of either has shown a deterioration of their surroundings. The footing: “Deal Prudently” can also be found in the bottom right corner of the artwork. Finally, in the background Bryce Canyon National Park’s Natural Bridge formation is shown with Canada geese flying in formation.

Caritas, or Charity, is the Virtue beautifully featured on Nevada’s 1 Goldback Denomination. This is her first appearance on a Goldback Design, and is notably 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, the candlestick in the right corner of 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, (now, Saint Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church & Museum), which was also an inspiration for this artwork. The window below Mary’s dress hides the word “Love”, the symbol of a square, a compass, a wagon wheel, and rosary beads. The viewer will also note the ash tree, symbolizing marriage and Las Vegas’s status as the marriage capital of the world; and a family of ring-necked pheasants, which showcase the selfless acts of nurture and protecting their family and young.

In her first appearance on a Goldback series, Gratia, or Grace, is featured on the New Hampshire 1 Goldback Denomination. She is depicted as an Abenaki Native American woman from the Algonquin tribes, who have history in the area. She is wearing a traditional dress and beads in front of an Abenaki wigwam. She is accompanied by a river otter, representing resourcefulness and finding joy in the moment with both attributes being key parts of grace and leading a balanced life. Also present in the symbolism of this design are many elements of Jewish and Christian cultures. This design particularly indicates the Jewish Festival/Feast of Trumpets, Rosh Hashanah, being celebrated alongside the Thanksgiving Holiday. Elements of these celebrations include: the Shofar trumpet next to the wigwam door, the pumpkin, corn, beans, chestnuts, and honeycomb represented by the beehive in the tree.

Gratia can be seen gathering chestnuts and pondering, with the caption below reading “Give Thanks”. This is to acknowledge that the bounties that we are provided with must be worked for to be gathered in, but that we should also be thankful for them. Additionally, the chestnuts remain uncracked, more deeply symbolizing the work needing to be done by the founding fathers of the United States of America in order to bring about the nation where we could enjoy the freedoms that we do. One of the reasons that Thanksgiving Day is represented in the New Hampshire series here is because of Sarah Joseph, a native resident of New Hampshire, who was key in bringing Thanksgiving Day about as a national holiday. In the background are elements nodding to, and representing, the many ancient artifacts and “American Stonehenge” that can both be found in New Hampshire and indicate the rich cultural heritage of the area that predates more modern colonization.