# 1 California Goldback for Sale

> “Diligence is the mother of good luck.”

The one California Goldback depicts a prospector at Sutter’s Mill and the persistence behind the Gold Rush.

**Estimated published reference value:** $9.21 — Friday, August 21st, 2026

Calculated from the published per-Goldback reference price. This value is informational and is not a sale price.

[Buy this note](https://finestknown.com/product/1-california-goldback-note-1-1000oz/)

## Specifications

- Series: California Alpha
- Year: 2026
- State: California
- Denomination: 1 Goldback
- Gold content: 1/1,000 troy ounce of 24-karat gold
- Virtue: Diligentia (Diligence)
- Inscription: Diligence is the mother of good luck.
- Reference: Benjamin Franklin

## The artwork

The California 1 Goldback depicts Diligentia, or diligence, as a female prospector kneeling in the waters of Sutter’s Mill in Coloma. She holds a gold nugget, and the UV layer reveals more glimmering beneath the water. The scene captures the excitement of the 1848 discovery that ignited the California Gold Rush.

A grizzly bear from California’s state flag stands in the background, connecting perseverance and opportunity to the frontier spirit of the Golden State.

**Source and further reading:** [Goldback denomination and construction guide](https://www.goldback.com/about-goldbacks/).

## Symbolic elements

- gold pan
- gold nugget
- river
- grizzly bear
- Sutter’s Mill

## Historical frame

The scene references the 1848 discovery at Sutter’s Mill and California’s 1850 admission to the Union.

## Continue researching

- [Read the California artwork guide](https://californiagoldbacks.com/learn/artwork-behind-goldbacks)
- [Understand the published reference rate](https://californiagoldbacks.com/learn/how-goldbacks-are-priced)

## About this note

### What is the reference value of a 1 California Goldback?

Using the current published one-Goldback reference price, this denomination is estimated at $9.21. This is an informational reference value.

### Does this website process the purchase?

No. The purchase button opens the corresponding product listing in a new tab.

### What does the artwork represent?

Diligentia (Diligence) anchors the design. The one California Goldback depicts a prospector at Sutter’s Mill and the persistence behind the Gold Rush.

## Continue through the series

- [¼ California Goldback for Sale](https://californiagoldbacks.com/california-1-4-goldback-for-sale) — Justitia (Justice)
- [3 California Goldbacks Limited Early Release](https://californiagoldbacks.com/california-3-goldback-for-sale) — Harmonia (Harmony)
- [5 California Goldbacks for Sale](https://californiagoldbacks.com/california-5-goldback-for-sale) — Abundantia (Abundance)