A possible return to spendable gold in the American economy is taking baby steps forward with the help of Goldbacks. These privately designed and minted gold backs offer 24-karat gold in minuscule weights that make it not only affordable to acquire, but also reasonable to use in transactions in the 21st century. Unlike gold coins worth thousands, Goldbacks have more reasonable weights and could help bring a return to spending stable currency in the form of gold.

About Goldbacks

The first thing to note is that Goldbacks are NOT US legal tender currency. Goldbacks represent a form of voluntary currency. Goldbacks are offered in weights of 1/20, 1/40, 1/100, 1/200, and 1/1000 Troy oz of .9999 pure gold. As of 2025, Goldbacks are now also available with 1/10 and  1/2000 Troy oz options known, respectively, as 100 and 1/2 Goldbacks. As voluntary currency, vendors and retailers in US states can signup to agree to accept Goldbacks for purchases. It is important to note, however, that Goldbacks are NOT US legal tender.

What are Goldbacks?

Goldbacks offer beautiful designs on the obverse side, with such thin gold layering that there is no design placed on the reverse as it might bleed through or show through on the front side. There are various series available for different states across the US, but there is a common theme that showcases unique depictions of female allegories that include, but are not limited to, the likes of:

• Liberty
• Victory
• Prudence
• Fortitude
• Justice
• Sophia
• Charity

Each Goldback is made with thin layers of 24-karat gold combined together within polyester sheets. Individual Goldbacks ship with plastic currency sleeves for added protection. Additionally, Goldbacks have been offered in 100 Packs for the 1 Goldback denomination, with a simple wrap to hold the 100 notes together. There are also five-note packs for each state series offering all five denominations together in one set. With the expansion of weights available across Goldback collections, you’ll now also find an 8-pack available as of 2025.

Goldback Collections

To date, Goldbacks have been released for a total of six different US states. The movement started in the American West with Utah, and first grew to include Nevada and Wyoming. More recently, New Hampshire became the first East Coast state represented in the series, while South Dakota joined as the fifth state and first from the American Midwest. In 2025, Florida became the sixth Goldback state series and the first to introduce new weights, with the 1/2 Goldback (1/2000 oz) and the 100 Goldback (1/10 oz). Additional states to emerge in the Goldback Series include Oklahoma and Arizona, with a new 2 Goldback denomination now available, as well as a Limited Early release 3 Goldback.