1 Arizona Goldback | Aurum Gold Foil Note (24k)

Three of Arizona's official state emblems appear on this one note: the saguaro blossom, the cactus wren and the two-tailed swallowtail. It is the most densely populated design in the series.

The artwork

The virtue is Temperantia — Temperance — and the setting is Tubac under Mexican rule, in the years after Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1821. Mission San José de Tumacácori, among the oldest and most significant landmarks in the state, stands in the background.

A regal woman in 19th-century Mexican dress holds the centre. Her embroidered skirt stands for the meeting of Indigenous, Spanish and Mexican traditions that gave Arizona its roots. The surrounding detail rewards a close look:

• The saguaro blossom, the state flower
• The cactus wren, the state bird
• The two-tailed swallowtail, the state butterfly
• A desert tortoise, a Harris's hawk and a javelina
• Corn, chiles and prickly pear

Taken together, Tubac and Tumacácori mark how far Mexico's presence shaped the south of the state. The inscription comes from Galatians 5:22–23: “The fruit of the Spirit is temperance.”

Who this note suits

The 1 holds 1/1000 of a troy ounce of 24-carat gold, and it is the reference point for the whole system — every other denomination is priced and sized against it. If you want one note to see what a Goldback actually is in the hand, this is the one to buy.

It is also the denomination people buy in quantity, whether for a run of small gifts or simply to hold a stack rather than a single note.

Note that this denomination ships as a random year, so the note you receive may be an Alpha issue or a later one. If you specifically want an Alpha, buy a denomination sold as an Alpha Edition instead.

On value, be realistic. The premium over the gold price at this size is substantial, and a Britannia, a Sovereign or a cast bar will beat it comfortably on gold per pound spent. The 1 Arizona earns its place as an object, not as bullion by weight.

UK buyer notes

Yard Mint supplies Goldbacks from UK stock. They are treated as VAT-exempt investment-gold wafers, so there is no VAT to add at checkout.

Goldbacks are not UK legal tender. They can be bought, owned, sold, collected and voluntarily exchanged where both parties agree, but no UK business is required to accept one. They also do not share the Capital Gains Tax exemption that applies to Britannias and post-1837 Sovereigns, which are sterling currency. VAT and CGT are separate questions with different answers.

Resale depends on the gold price, the condition of the note and buyer demand at the time. A collector premium is not guaranteed.

This is general information, not personal tax or investment advice. Tax treatment depends on current rules and individual circumstances.

• Contains 1/1000 troy oz (0.001 oz) of 24-carat gold.
• Grade: (U) Crisp Uncirculated
• Year: supplied at random; may be an Alpha issue or a later one.
• Metal content: 0.001 troy oz
• Purity: .999
• Thickness: 0.10 mm
• Size: 6.5 cm x 11.7 cm (2.56 in x 4.62 in)
• Manufactured in the USA.

The Arizona Series

Each denomination carries its own original artwork and a proportional quantity of 24-carat gold. View all Arizona Goldbacks, read the Arizona collector guide, or browse every Goldback series.