2 Arizona Goldback 1/500 oz

The 2 Arizona Goldback honors the virtue Exploratio by commemorating one of the boldest chapters in Arizona’s history: the 1869 Powell Geographic Expedition. Led by Major John Wesley Powell, this pioneering voyage marked the first documented descent through the Grand Canyon, a feat that revealed one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.

In the foreground, a resolute young woman rows a wooden boat modeled after those of Powell’s crew — the Emma Dean, Maid of the Canyon, Kitty Clyde’s Sister, and No Name. Her determined expression and steady hands reflect the spirit of exploration itself: unwavering in the face of the unknown. Behind her, Major Powell sits in his vessel, his pinned sleeve a quiet reminder of the arm he lost in the Civil War, and of his resolve to lead despite hardship.

The canyon walls rise in glowing layers of gold and crimson as the Colorado River churns below. Two California condors soar overhead, and a bighorn sheep watches from a rocky ledge — symbols of strength and endurance in the rugged Southwest.

This design celebrates not only discovery but also perseverance in the face of uncertainty. Like Powell’s expedition, it reflects the unshakable drive to seek, to learn, and to illuminate the uncharted. Along the bottom, the inscription reminds us: “Let us not grow weary.” – Galatians 6:9