2 Idaho Goldback - Alpha Edition (α) | Aurum Gold Foil Note (24k)

Description

Boise is home to one of the largest Basque communities in the United States, and the 2 Idaho is where that history is set in gold. The design was reviewed with input from representatives of the Idaho Basque Museum, which is not something most bullion products can claim, and it shows in the detail.

The artwork

The virtue is Civitas, Community. At the centre, a Basque woman performs the traditional hoop dance Uztai Txiki (Arco Dantza). Beneath her feet sits the Boise Basque cross, the locally recognised lauburu design.

The scene around her is Boise and the country that fed it:

• The Boise Mountains and a flock of sheep, for the daily labour of Basque immigrants who worked as shepherds across Idaho's open ranges.
• The Idaho State Capitol, standing behind the dancer.
• The Basque Museum and Cultural Center, the anchor of the community in Boise today.

The principle carried on the note is Basque, and it fits Idaho: "Denon artean egina, erraz egina" — what is done together is done easily.

Who this note suits

The 2 holds 1/500 of a troy ounce of 24-carat gold: twice the 1, eight times the ¼. That makes it a useful working denomination for a set — enough gold to feel like something in the hand, small enough to buy several at a time, and a strong single note to give to anyone with Basque or Idaho ties.

The trade-off is the premium, and it is worth stating plainly. The cost of the artwork, the foil manufacturing and the distribution is spread across a small quantity of gold, so any Goldback sells for considerably more than the melt value of the metal inside it. If gold per pound spent is your only measure, a Britannia, a Sovereign or a cast bar will beat this note every time. Buy the 2 for the design, the format and the set it belongs to.

Make it part of your story

Choose an Idaho note for the story you would enjoy telling someone else. Build around favourite designs, or give one with a few words about why it reminded you of them.

The price includes artwork and manufacture as well as gold. Condition and collector demand can affect resale.

Specifications

• Contains 1/500 troy oz (0.002 oz) of 24-carat gold.
• Grade: (U) Crisp Uncirculated
• Edition: Alpha (α)
• Metal content: 0.002 troy oz
• Purity: .999
• Thickness: 0.10 mm
• Manufactured in the USA.

The Idaho Series

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