2 Arizona Goldback Gold Note, 1/500 troy ounce

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

The 2 Arizona Goldback Banknote pays tribute to the virtue of Exploratio - the spirit of discovery - by commemorating one of the boldest chapters in Arizona's history: the Powell geographic expedition of 1869. Led by Major John Wesley Powell, the first documented rafting trip through the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River took place, revealing to the world one of nature's greatest wonders. In the foreground we see a young, determined woman paddling a wooden boat modeled after the vessels used by Powell's crew - Emma Dean, Maid of the Canyon, Kitty Clyde's Sister and No Name. Her focused gaze and sure grip on the oars symbolize the very essence of exploration - steadfastness in the face of the unknown. In the background, in his boat, sits Major Powell, with his sleeve pinned up as a silent reminder of the hand lost in the Civil War and his extraordinary strength and leadership despite adversity. The gold and purple walls of the canyon rise, and the current of the Colorado River thunders below. Above them, two California condors glide, and a Canadian mouflon stares at a rocky ledge - symbols of strength, courage and perseverance in the harsh conditions of the Southwest. This project pays tribute not only to discovery, but also to perseverance in the face of uncertainty. Like Powell's expedition, it expresses an unwavering need to seek, explore and illuminate the unknown. At the bottom is an inscription recalling the words of Galatians 6:9: Let us not cease to do good.