New Hampshire Goldbacks: Complete UK Collector Guide
New Hampshire’s original Goldback series is unusually coherent. Its five virtues move from Grace to Liberty, while the middle denominations share a Revolutionary-era thread. For a UK collector, that makes the set easier to understand: choose one scene that matters to you, or build the sequence because the notes speak to one another.
Key takeaways
- The original series has five denominations: 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50.
- Each contains a fixed fraction of a troy ounce of 24-carat gold; the number determines the gold content.
- The virtues are Gratia, Veritas, Prospicientia, Fortitudine and Libertas.
- Goldback launched the New Hampshire series in 2020 and has announced a refreshed version; the original artwork is now described as discontinued and out of print.
- Goldbacks are collectables containing real gold, not a low-premium substitute for Britannias or bars.
What are New Hampshire Goldbacks?
Goldbacks are flexible polymer notes containing a measured quantity of 24-carat gold. New Hampshire was the third state series, released in 2020 after Utah and Nevada. Its original run uses five designs and five gold weights, all built around virtues and local references.
The note’s number is a gold-content measure, not a pound price. A 1 Goldback contains 1/1000 of a troy ounce; a 50 contains 1/20. Retail prices also reflect specialist production, artwork, distribution and collector demand, so the cost per gram is normally higher than conventional bullion.
If that premium is the only fact you see, a Goldback is probably the wrong purchase. If you value the design, compact format and series story as well as the gold inside it, the format begins to make sense.
The five-note sequence
The sequence is one of the best reasons to collect New Hampshire. It begins with the domestic and communal idea of Grace, moves through Truth and Foresight, then turns towards Fortitude and Liberty. The result feels less like five unrelated illustrations and more like a short visual essay about the state.
Every denomination, virtue and gold weight
| Note | Gold content | Virtue | Design focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1/1000 troy oz | Gratia — Grace | Abenaki harvest scene and “Give Thanks” |
| 5 | 1/200 troy oz | Veritas — Truth | Candle, covered bridge and “Walk in Truth” |
| 10 | 1/100 troy oz | Prospicientia — Foresight | Fort William and Mary raid and “Look Forward” |
| 25 | 1/40 troy oz | Fortitudine — Fortitude | Minute-man imagery and “Take Courage” |
| 50 | 1/20 troy oz | Libertas — Liberty | Pine Tree Riots and “Stand Fast in Liberty” |
Gold content rises in direct proportion to the denomination, but the physical artwork changes as well. Larger notes give the engraving more room and usually reduce the premium per gram relative to the smallest size. They also require a larger outlay, so “bigger” is not automatically “better”.
For the wider denomination ladder, including the quarter, half and 2 notes found in newer series, see Goldback Denominations Explained.
Reading the artwork
1 — Gratia
Grace appears as an Abenaki woman gathering chestnuts near a wigwam. The design combines harvest imagery, a river otter and the words “Give Thanks”. It also nods to New Hampshire-born Sarah Josepha Hale and her long campaign for a national Thanksgiving observance.
5 — Veritas
Truth carries a candle along a fog-bound path towards a covered bridge. A purple lilac, purple finch and moose bring state symbols into a design about offering light when the way ahead is unclear.
10 — Prospicientia
Foresight sits on a cannon after the raid on Fort William and Mary, later Fort Constitution. The calm figure, shoreline and captured matériel turn preparation—not triumph—into the central idea.
25 — Fortitudine
Fortitude continues the story with a minute-man’s coat, musket and powder horn. The design adds the state motto, a tapped maple, porcupines and Mount Washington to connect courage with endurance.
50 — Libertas
Liberty closes the series in the White Mountains. A marked pine, broken axe and pine switch refer to the Pine Tree Riots, while arrows, fish and eastern white pine echo New Hampshire’s early seal.
What the announced refresh means
Goldback has announced a wider refresh of its earliest series. The original Utah, Nevada and New Hampshire artwork is described as discontinued and out of print because it is not fully compatible with newer security features. The refreshed programme is intended to bring updated artwork, security and denominations, with New Hampshire following the Utah and Nevada work.
For collectors, three points matter. First, an original-design note does not become more valuable simply because it is out of print. Secondly, a refreshed series is not evidence that the earlier art was defective; it reflects a changing production and security system. Thirdly, the two versions may eventually create a satisfying “before and after” collection, but future availability and premiums cannot be promised.
At the time of writing, Yard Mint’s New Hampshire collection contains the five original-design denominations. Check the individual product page for the exact edition and imagery you are buying.
Which New Hampshire Goldback should you buy?
For a first note: the 1 is the easiest way to test the format and the Grace design has a generous amount of story for the entry denomination.
For historical interest: choose the 10 or 25. They share the most explicit narrative link in the series and work well as a pair.
For visual presence: the 50 gives Libertas and the Pine Tree imagery the largest format. It also carries the highest outlay, so buy it for the art rather than gold efficiency.
For a complete set: the five-note run is manageable compared with newer eight-denomination series. Condition consistency matters more when the notes will sit side by side.
Authenticity, condition and storage
Buy from a seller who identifies the state, denomination and edition clearly and uses photographs that match the product. Examine the detailed artwork, metallic reverse, serial information and any security features appropriate to the production year. A single shortcut is weaker than a combination of checks.
Handle notes by the edges with clean, dry hands and store them flat in an inert sleeve. Avoid folding, adhesive, PVC-heavy plastics and prolonged direct sunlight. A small mark does not remove the gold content, but it can reduce collector appeal.
For a broader purchasing checklist, read Buying Goldbacks in the UK. For the place of New Hampshire among the wider range, use The Different Goldback Series Explained.
For a different original five-note state set, the Wyoming Goldbacks collector guide maps Reverentia, Audentia, Fiducia, Fidelitas and Libertas across the 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 denominations.
For another original five-note state sequence, the South Dakota Goldbacks collector guide follows Peace, Industry, Harmony, Honour and Liberty through five distinct regional designs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many New Hampshire Goldback denominations are there?
The original New Hampshire series has five denominations: 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50. It does not include the newer quarter, half or 2 Goldback sizes.
Which virtues appear on New Hampshire Goldbacks?
The five virtues are Gratia or Grace on the 1, Veritas or Truth on the 5, Prospicientia or Foresight on the 10, Fortitudine or Fortitude on the 25, and Libertas or Liberty on the 50.
How much gold is in each New Hampshire Goldback?
The 1 contains 1/1000 troy ounce, the 5 contains 1/200, the 10 contains 1/100, the 25 contains 1/40 and the 50 contains 1/20 troy ounce of 24-carat gold.
Is the original New Hampshire Goldback series discontinued?
Goldback has announced that the original New Hampshire artwork is discontinued and out of print as part of a wider refresh programme. Existing original-design notes may still be available while stocks last, and a refreshed series is planned.
What is the best New Hampshire Goldback to buy first?
The 1 is the simplest low-commitment entry point. Choose the 10 or 25 if the connected Fort William and Mary story interests you, or the 50 if you want the largest artwork and the Liberty capstone.
Are New Hampshire Goldbacks legal tender in the UK?
No. Goldbacks are not UK legal tender. They can be owned, collected and used in voluntary exchange where both parties agree, but no UK business is required to accept one.
Are New Hampshire Goldbacks a good investment?
They contain real gold, but their retail price also includes production and collector premiums. Future resale depends on gold, condition and demand, so no premium or profit is guaranteed.
Explore New Hampshire Goldbacks
Compare all five original-design denominations, their product photography and current UK availability.
Browse the New Hampshire series