Goldback

Fresh Desert Gold Co. is an official Goldback® Authorized Distributor — one of a select group of licensed dealers authorized to carry and sell genuine Arizona Goldbacks. Goldbacks are voluntarily circulating, gold-backed currency notes made with real 24-karat gold. They are not certificates, not tokens, and not paper promises backed by gold held somewhere else. Each Goldback contains actual gold — vacuum-deposited as an ultra-thin layer of .9999 fine 24k gold leaf between layers of durable, transparent polymer — in a specific, documented fraction of a troy ounce determined by its denomination.

Arizona Goldbacks are legal in Arizona under state law as a voluntary medium of exchange and are accepted by a growing number of merchants across the state. They are produced by Goldback Inc., a private company based in Draper, Utah, under patents for the vacuum deposition process that embeds real gold into the note format. As an authorized distributor, the Goldbacks we sell are guaranteed genuine — sourced directly through Goldback Inc.'s official supply chain, not the secondary market.

What Is Actually in a Goldback?

The gold in a Goldback is deposited using a vacuum deposition process — the same technology used in aerospace and semiconductor manufacturing. Gaseous gold atoms are deposited in a precise, measured layer onto a polymer substrate. The resulting gold layer is extraordinarily thin but genuinely present — physical gold that can be verified by weight and by the distinctive appearance of gold under light.

Each denomination contains a specific fraction of a troy ounce of gold: a 1 Goldback contains 1/1000th of a troy ounce; a 5 Goldback contains 1/200th; a 25 Goldback contains 1/40th; and a 100 Goldback contains 1/10th of a troy ounce. The denominations scale linearly — a 100 Goldback contains exactly 100 times the gold of a 1 Goldback. The gold content is consistent, documented, and verifiable.

Arizona Goldback Denominations — Complete Selection

Fresh Desert Gold Co. carries all Arizona Goldback denominations, from the 0.5 Goldback starter piece — containing 1/2000th of a troy ounce of gold — to the 100 Goldback, which holds a full 1/10 troy ounce. The denomination range is designed to cover every use case: the 0.5 and 1 Goldback are popular for gifting and as an introduction to the format; the 5 and 10 are practical for everyday exchange; the 25, 50, and 100 are more serious investment holdings and collector pieces.

The artwork on Arizona Goldbacks is among the most intricate produced by any private mint or currency producer. Each denomination features original engravings representing virtues associated with Arizona's history and landscape — created by professional artists specifically for the Goldback series. The 1 Goldback features Industry; the 5 features Wisdom; the 10 features Prudence. Collectors who appreciate both precious metals and the art of engraving find the full Arizona denomination set to be one of the most distinctive collections in the alternative currency space.

Three Reasons People Buy Arizona Goldbacks

The first reason is investment — Goldbacks contain real gold, and as gold prices rise, so does the gold value component of each note. Unlike a paper currency, a Goldback cannot go to zero as long as gold retains value. The second reason is transactional utility — Arizona Goldbacks are designed to be used, and in communities where they are accepted, they function as a practical medium of exchange with built-in inflation resistance. The third reason is collection — each Goldback denomination is a work of art with real gold in it, and a complete Arizona denomination set in high condition is a genuinely unique and visually stunning possession.

Goldbacks vs Gold Coins and Bars — How They Fit Your Portfolio

Goldbacks are not a replacement for gold bars or coins — they serve a different purpose. A gram bar or a 1/10 oz coin holds more gold per dollar spent, at lower premium, and is more straightforward to value and resell. Goldbacks are best understood as a complement to a core gold position: a practical, transactional, and collectible form of gold ownership that does things bars and coins cannot — namely, functioning as a usable currency in daily life. For investors who already hold bars and coins and want to add something genuinely unique, or for buyers who want to introduce someone to gold in the most distinctive way possible, Goldbacks are the choice.