Florida Goldbacks
If you love Goldbacks, you probably know that they announced the new series of Florida Goldbacks at the end of last year. Having a sneak peak at the different designs, I was so happy that this series added to other notes (1/2 and 2 Goldback) to their collection, meaning I would have a few more to add to my collection.
Personally I love most of the designs, but I'm not at that point where I'd be willing to buy a big note costing 50 bucks or more. I would prefer stacking silver for that money instead seeing my collection isn't that big yet. But that doesn't mean that I want to have a few of the smaller notes in my collection because they are really amazing if you ask me.
The cool thing is that the ones ordered before a certain date in January also are Alpha editions, I don't know if this would add much to the value in the future but I think it's a cool extra perk for ordering early.
You can find the Alpha symbol on the left side of the year 2025, where below you see Goldback.com written.
2025 1/2 Florida Goldback Alpha Edition
Let's have a look at the first note I'm going to share, I bought two of these because they came at a steal price and I'm considering to give my daughter one in the future but didn't want to part with it mysel either, buying two was best, haha.
What's not to love about the design? I think the artwork is amazing, but I was curious about the meaing as well. For example there's the date 1513 on the stone and the word Spes, I had no clue it meant hope, I learned that from the Goldback.com website. I'm going to add the description info from their site here as I think it's quite interesting to learn the idea behind the design.
Spes (Hope)
The Florida Half Goldback honors the virtue “Spes” (Hope) through the figure of a Spanish conquistador, kneeling before the mythical Fountain of Youth. She wears the fleur-de-lis emblem, representing the era of exploration when France briefly established a foothold in Florida with the Huguenots’ settlement of Fort Caroline near present-day Jacksonville. The settlement was later overtaken by the Spanish in 1565.
The year 1513 is etched in stone nearby, commemorating Juan Ponce de León’s voyage to Florida. He was inspired by Timucua legends of a spring believed to restore youth. This scene weaves together history and myth, portraying the conquistador’s hopeful quest for the rejuvenating spring and symbolizing humanity’s enduring pursuit of renewal and possibility.
Although Ponce de León never founded a settlement, his expedition paved the way for Spain’s continued exploration, culminating in Pedro Menéndez de Avilés founding St. Augustine in 1565—the oldest permanent European settlement in the United States. Set within a lush, tropical landscape, the artwork features Florida’s Zebra Longwing butterfly, a symbol of transformation. The resilient mockingbird, signifying perseverance, reflects explorers’ ambitions and the beauty of the New World.
A Florida Cracker horse—first introduced by the Spanish and later designated as the state’s official horse—stands beside Spes, symbolizing the endurance required on such treacherous journeys. At the water’s edge, a conch shell pays homage to the Timucua, whose heritage was deeply connected to the land and sea. The shell, used in rituals and communication, honors Florida’s indigenous culture that thrived before European contact.
This artwork, rich in symbolism, highlights the universal quest for renewal. The enduring principle, “Blessed are the meek,” honors those who humbly explore the unknown. It celebrates Florida’s history and the lasting legacy of St. Augustine as the birthplace of European settlement in the United States.
Source
I wouldn't have thought about the fountain of youth without reading this on the site for example, but also a bit of history to be learned in that description. I'm not that great with history myself, but that doesn't mean I don't think it's interesting to read it when there's something interesting to learn.
The backside of the note looks well, gold-ish :) The note contains 1/2000 oz (0.0005 oz) .999 fine Gold, in case you didn't know. It's just a little but at least I get to add fractions of gold without breaking the bank here.
I'm really happy with this note, it looks lovely and is still placed on my desk even though I received it several weeks ago. I love to have a look from time to time..
Wishing you a good Monday ahead!