5 Oklahoma Goldbacks Gold Note 2023, 1/200 oz

On the reverse of the Oklahoma 5 Goldback, the virtues of Industry are strongly depicted through the image of a young woman walking through the oil fields during the 1905 Glenpool oil strike. The scene captures the moment when crews encountered oil, which helped transform a quiet agricultural state into an industrial powerhouse.

The woman's outfit, still covered in the dust of the earth, perfectly reflects her excitement, pride and thrilling sense of transformation brought by the discovery. On her hips can be seen a tool belt engraved with the date "1905," symbolizing the hard work that laid the foundation for Oklahoma's economy. Swinging around her neck is a horseshoe-shaped necklace, a traditional symbol of good luck. Hovering nearby are honeybees, the official insect of the state of Oklahoma, which symbolize the steady, collaborative work that drives transformation. The inherently industrious bee is a reminder that real progress is achieved through disciplined, collaborative effort.

At the woman's feet, among the prairie grasses, Blanket Indian wildflowers bloom. These native, vibrant and hardy plants reflect the spirit of the people who built Oklahoma at that time. To the left you can see an early oil wagon with "Glenpool" written on it, a reminder of the difficult early days of oil transportation before pipelines changed the energy landscape. A windmill spins in the distance, echoing the strength of Oklahoma's agricultural backbone.

Behind the woman, a drilling rig erupts violently while oil prospectors cheer with disbelief and triumph. They were visionaries and risk-prone people who relied on instinct, courage and hope for success. Although the oil boom offered no guarantees, their unwavering determination contributed to the creation of towns, livelihoods and a lasting legacy on Oklahoma's red soil.

Although the first commercial oil well in Oklahoma - Nellie Johnstone No. 1 - was drilled in Bartlesville in 1897, it was the discovery in Glenpool in 1905 that sparked the real boom. In just two years, Tulsa's population skyrocketed, elevating it to the national stage as the "Oil Capital of the World." That momentum continued in other major fields such as Cushing and Healdton, cementing Oklahoma's position as a cornerstone of American energy for decades.

The bottom of the bill is engraved with the state motto: "Labor Omnia Vincit," or "Work conquers all." Few places fully reflect this ideal more than Oklahoma during its industrial development.

This graphic celebrates the strength, discipline and hope that built the state. Industry is more than effort - it is vision in motion, determination forged through hardship and the belief that progress is deserved. This is the story of Oklahoma: of dust and discovery, of prairie turned into promise, and of people who dug deep and found more than oil. They found opportunity.