Gold 1 Oklahoma Goldback note, 1/1000 oz.

Oklahoma's 1 Goldback gold bill depicts the virtue of Perseverantia - or Perseverance - commemorating the event behind the state's founding: the 1889 Run for the Land. On April 22, 50,000 settlers broke into the Unassigned Lands to claim their 160-acre parcel of land. This race sparked a veritable frenzy of ambition. In just a few hours, entire cities such as Oklahoma City and Guthrie rose from the dust, changing the future of the territory and its people.

The composition of the work is inspired by the Monument to the Hundredth Anniversary of the Land Run in Oklahoma City, capturing the chaos, courage and complexity of this historic event. It also references the conflicting stories of "Boomers" and "Sooners" - that is, those who advocated for access to the land, and those who laid claim to it prematurely.

Beneath this triumph lies a deeper truth. The land was formerly part of Indian Territory, taken from indigenous peoples whose lives were drastically altered. This complex heritage is not overlooked; it is recognized as part of the state's complex and ever-evolving history.

Central to the scene is a young pioneer woman on horseback, rushing forward. Her flowing hair, flowing dress and powerful horse reflect the intensity of the moment when thousands of people moved as one - towards hope, towards home. In her hand she holds a pole to mark the ground, on which is embroidered the word "Perseverantia," symbolizing her striving for a new beginning. On her saddle is the engraved inscription "The Sooner State." This proud but complicated title alludes to Oklahoma's unique identity and the blurring lines between legitimate ambition and haste.

In the background, horsemen and wagons flash across the open plains, surrounded by a landscape rich in symbolism. A scissor-tailed flycatcher, the state bird, glides overhead. Purple coneflowers and blue wild indigo bloom beneath galloping hooves. These native plants symbolize resilience and renewal, reminding us that both the land and the people who inhabited it have been tested - and survived.

In this work of art, Perseverantia is more than just a name. It is the quiet determination of those who faced uncertainty and pushed forward. It's the heartbeat of every Oklahoma resident who chose not just to survive, but to build something lasting. This work is more than a historical performance; it is a tribute to Oklahoma's indomitable will.

At the bottom of the work is an inscription from 2 Timothy 4:7, which reads, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."