1/2 Arizona Goldback Gold Note, 1/2000 troy ounce

A gold banknote covered with a thin laminate as an alternative to paper dollars.

The 1/2 Arizona Goldback banknote commemorates Fides (the virtue of Faith) through a scene rooted in the early spiritual heritage of the American Southwest. At the foot of the gleaming white towers of Mission San Xavier del Bac, a young woman sits gracefully, holding a lit candle in her hands - a symbol of the unwavering light that guided Spanish missionaries through the harsh Arizona wilderness. Her flowing Spanish dress and cross necklace evoke the missionary era, when faith and community first took root in the Sonora desert. Surrounding her is a flourishing land full of native plants and animals - the California roadrunner, owl elf, desert spiny lizard and flowering cactus - each of which symbolizes the resilience of life in this harsh but beautiful region. The lemon tree next to her pays homage to the agricultural heritage of Arizona's early missions, where orchards and gardens flourished as symbols of renewal. White doves - a timeless sign of peace and the Holy Spirit - soar above her head, while the facade of the mission, known as the "White Dove of the Desert," stands as a testament to the faith that is the foundation of Arizona. All these elements together express the imperishable principle from Psalm 27:1: The Lord is my light