Goldbacks answer the problem that has always limited physical gold in daily use: divisibility. The 1/4 California Goldback contains 1/4000th of a troy ounce of .999 fine 24K gold sealed between polymer layers, the smallest denomination Goldback produces. The Alpha marking identifies it as a first-year note in the California series, a state whose entire founding story runs through gold.
Key Features:
- Purity and Weight: 1/4000th troy ounce of .999 fine 24K gold
- Metal Type: Gold, vacuum-deposited between polymer layers
- Obverse Design: Justitia seated with scales and sword beside a river and mountain
- Reverse Design: Mirrored impression of the front artwork across a plain gold field
The front presents Justitia, the virtue of justice, seated on a rocky ledge in a classical draped gown with curled hair falling to her shoulders. Her right arm is raised holding a set of balance scales, while her left hand rests on the pommel of a sword set point-down beside a stack of books. Her name is worked into the volume at her side. A river runs through the lower field with mining pans and tools visible along the bank, and a steep mountain slope rises behind her. A butterfly hovers near her raised hand. The line “To delay justice is injustice” appears in script beneath the figure. The 1/4 denomination sits inside an ornamental rosette at the upper left, with CALIFORNIA, Goldback, and Negotiable Instrument stacked across the top. A serial number runs vertically along the left edge next to the GB seal and the α 2026 series mark. The base panel reads 1/4000th Troy Ounce 24K Gold, payable in US gold coin to bearer on demand, with ONE FOURTH at the bottom.
The back carries the same artwork in reverse impression on an unprinted gold surface. Under ultraviolet light the note shifts to violet with the scales, butterflies, and border patterns fluorescing, one of several security features alongside serialization and microprinting.
Each note measures roughly 50.5 x 82 mm and ships in a protective currency sleeve.
Real 24K gold at the lowest entry point in the series. Add the 1/4 California Goldback – Alpha to your cart today.