Which Goldback Series Should You Buy First?

March 18, 2026

Nine state series. Up to nine denominations each. If you're looking at the GoldATM shop for the first time, the options can feel like a lot. This guide cuts through it.

The right first series depends on what you're trying to do. Most buyers fall into one of four categories.

If You Want the Lowest Entry Point

Start with Idaho.

The Idaho series is the only one that includes the ¼ Goldback — the smallest denomination ever produced, containing 1/4000 of a troy ounce of .9999 fine gold. It's the most accessible entry point in the entire Goldback lineup, and it's exclusive to Idaho.

If your goal is to hold physical gold without spending much upfront, the ¼ or ½ Idaho Goldback gets you there for a few dollars. From there you can decide whether to add more Idaho denominations or branch out to other series.

If You Want the Most Established Series

Start with Utah.

Utah launched in 2019 as the first Goldback series ever produced. It has the longest track record, the deepest secondary market, and the widest merchant acceptance. If you want to buy into the most established, most recognized series in the lineup, Utah is it.

The 1 Utah Goldback is one of the highest-selling denominations across the entire catalog. It's a practical starting point and a natural anchor for a first collection.

If You Have a State Connection

Buy your state.

Each series features original artwork tied to that state's history, landscape, and values. If you live in, grew up in, or have a connection to one of the nine series states, that's often the most meaningful place to start.

State series Goldbacks also make strong gifts for the same reason. A set of denominations from someone's home state carries a specific identity that a generic gold product doesn't.

If You're Building a Collection

Start with the 1 denomination across multiple series.

The 1 Goldback is available in all nine state series. Starting with one note from each state gives you a complete set of the base denomination, a clear picture of how the artwork varies across series, and a foundation you can build on with larger denominations over time.

At around $10 per note, acquiring all nine 1 Goldbacks is a manageable project with a defined endpoint. A complete set has more appeal to future buyers than a partial one.

Which Denominations to Start With

Regardless of which series you choose, smaller denominations are the right entry point for most first-time buyers.

¼ or ½ Goldback: Lowest cost, good for testing the format before committing more
1 Goldback: The most common starting point, widely available across all series
2 Goldback: Available in Florida, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Idaho. A useful mid-step between 1 and 5
5 Goldback: A practical next step once you know you want to hold more gold

Larger denominations (25, 50, 100) suit buyers who are specifically building a larger gold position and want to hold more weight per note. They're not the right starting point for most people new to the format.

What About Limited Early Releases?

Each new state series launches with a Limited Early Release (LER) denomination — a small initial run released before the full series ships. LERs sell through quickly and don't restock with that designation once they're gone.

If a series is in its launch window, the LER is worth considering. It's the only opportunity to get that specific designation on that denomination. Once it's gone, it's gone.

The Short Answer

First time buying? Start with Idaho for the lowest entry point, Utah for the most established series, or your home state if one of the nine is yours. Pick the 1 Goldback as your anchor denomination, and go from there.

GoldATM carries all nine state series with no minimum order. Browse by state or denomination at shop.goldatm.com.

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