Goldback Denominations Guide: ¼ to 100 Goldback Explained
Goldbacks come in nine denominations — from the ¼ Goldback to the 100 Goldback. Every note contains .9999 fine 24k gold, physically embedded using a patented vacuum deposition process. The denomination determines how much gold is in the note and what it costs. This guide covers what each denomination contains, which states offer it, and how to choose the right one for your needs.
Denomination Table
Prices update daily to reflect the live gold market. Current prices based on today's Goldback rate.
| Denomination | Gold Content | Troy Oz | Price (today) | States Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ¼ Goldback | 1/4000 oz | 0.00025 oz | ~$2.25 | Idaho only |
| ½ Goldback | 1/2000 oz | 0.0005 oz | ~$4.50 | FL, OK, AZ, ID |
| 1 Goldback | 1/1000 oz | 0.001 oz | ~$9.00 | All 9 states |
| 2 Goldback | 1/500 oz | 0.002 oz | ~$18.00 | FL, OK, AZ, ID |
| 5 Goldback | 1/200 oz | 0.005 oz | ~$45.00 | All 9 states |
| 10 Goldback | 1/100 oz | 0.01 oz | ~$90.00 | All 9 states |
| 25 Goldback | 1/40 oz | 0.025 oz | ~$225.00 | All 9 states |
| 50 Goldback | 1/20 oz | 0.05 oz | ~$450.00 | All 9 states |
| 100 Goldback | 1/10 oz | 0.1 oz | ~$900.00 | FL, OK, AZ, ID |
Prices reflect today's Goldback rate and update daily. View historical gold price charts →
Which Denomination Should You Buy?
The right denomination depends on how you plan to use your Goldbacks. Here are the most common starting points:
New to Goldbacks? Start with the 1 Goldback.
The 1 Goldback (~$9.00) is the most widely used denomination in the program. It's the easiest to spend at participating merchants, the most liquid for trading, and the best introduction to what a Goldback is. Every state series makes a 1 Goldback. If you've never held one, this is where to start. Shop 1 Goldbacks from all states →
Want to spend regularly? Stock the ½ and 1.
If you're planning to use Goldbacks at merchants, the ½ ($4.50) and 1 ($9.00) are your everyday denominations. They're small enough to make change, widely accepted, and easy to carry. The ½ Goldback is available in Florida, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Idaho. Shop ½ Goldbacks →
Building a stack? The 5 and 10 are efficient.
The 5 Goldback (~$45) and 10 Goldback (~$90) hit the sweet spot between denomination size and cost. They're available in all 9 states, easy to store, and hold enough gold to make a meaningful stack without concentrating too much value in a single note. Shop 5 Goldbacks → | Shop 10 Goldbacks →
Storing value? Consider the 25, 50, or 100.
The larger denominations pack the most gold per note. The 100 Goldback contains 1/10th of a troy ounce of .9999 pure gold — comparable to a 1/10 oz gold coin, but in Goldback form. Available in Florida, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Idaho. Shop 100 Goldbacks →
Collecting all 9 states? Get one of each.
Many Goldback holders collect one note from each state series in a single denomination. A set of nine 1 Goldbacks — one per state — runs about $81 and gives you the full artwork lineup in one shot. Browse all state series →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much gold is in a Goldback?
It depends on the denomination. A 1 Goldback contains 1/1000th of a troy ounce (0.001 oz) of .9999 fine 24k gold. A 10 Goldback contains 1/100th of a troy ounce. A 100 Goldback contains 1/10th of a troy ounce. The gold is physically embedded into the note — not printed, not a certificate. Real gold you can verify.
What is the cheapest Goldback denomination?
The ¼ Goldback at ~$2.25 is the smallest denomination in the program — currently exclusive to the Idaho series. The ½ Goldback (~$4.50) is the next smallest and is available in Florida, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Idaho.
Why do Goldbacks cost more than spot gold?
Goldbacks carry a premium above spot price because of the manufacturing process. Each note uses a patented vacuum deposition process to physically embed .9999 fine 24k gold. The premium reflects fabrication costs and the utility of Goldbacks as spendable currency. Goldbacks have appreciated at roughly 14.47% annually on average since the Utah series launched in 2019.
Which states have all 9 denominations?
Only Idaho currently offers all nine denominations including the ¼ and 100. Florida, Oklahoma, and Arizona offer eight (½ through 100). Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, New Hampshire, and South Dakota offer five core denominations (1, 5, 10, 25, 50).
Are Goldbacks legal tender?
Yes — in participating states. Utah, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and Arizona have enacted sound money legislation recognizing gold and silver (including Goldbacks) as legal tender. Goldbacks function as voluntary local currency — merchants set their own exchange rates based on the daily Goldback price.
Where can I spend Goldbacks?
Thousands of merchants across all 9 active Goldback states accept them. Use the Goldback app to find participating merchants. The 1 and ½ denominations are the most commonly accepted for everyday transactions.
Shop by Denomination
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