The 2026 Idaho 5 Goldback will feature the Great Fire of 1910.
Here are two concepts by Goldback that may be similar the final selection.
Contact us to be reminded by email when the Idaho Goldbacks will be available for sale.
The 1910 Great Fire (The Big Burn) — Remembering Idaho’s Darkest Week and Why a Commemorative Goldback Matters
In August 1910 a catastrophic wildfire—commonly known as the 1910 Great Fire or the “Big Burn”—raged across parts of northeastern Washington, northern Idaho, and western Montana. Fueled by drought-dried timber, high winds, and a backlog of small, unextinguished fires, the blaze swept with terrifying speed across forests and communities. Estimates place the area burned at about three million acres, and the human cost was severe: scores of firefighters, lookouts, and residents lost their lives, with fatalities generally estimated in the dozens.
A Turning Point in Forest Management and Community Resilience
The disaster had immediate and lasting consequences. It galvanized national attention, influenced the expansion and professionalization of wildfire fighting, and helped shape early U.S. Forest Service policy and strategy. Entire towns and timber communities were changed forever; survivors rebuilt, adapted, and carried the memory of the Big Burn into the next century. The event is part of Idaho’s history not only for its devastation but for the resilience, sacrifice, and lessons it left behind.
Why Commemorate the 1910 Great Fire with a Goldback?
- Preserve memory: A commemorative Goldback is a tactile, long-lasting way to honor the men and women who fought the flames—and the communities that rebuilt in their wake.
- History in your hands: Unlike a print or plaque, a Goldback combines fine artwork with tangible precious-metal content, letting collectors hold a piece of remembrance that also carries intrinsic value.
- Educational value: Displaying a commemorative note sparks conversations about wildfire history, forest stewardship, and the evolution of firefighting—making the story accessible to younger generations.
- Collectible significance: Commemorative issues tied to major historical events are prized by collectors for their storytelling, limited availability, and connection to regional identity.
How a Commemorative Goldback Connects Collectors With Idaho’s Story
Collectors who purchase a 1910 Great Fire Goldback aren’t just buying a beautiful object — they’re preserving a narrative. These notes serve as conversation starters, educational pieces, and heirlooms that can be displayed, documented, and passed down. For Idaho residents, descendants of those who lived through the Big Burn, or anyone who values American forest history, a commemorative Goldback provides a portable, elegant remembrance.
Buy Now — Honor History, Support Awareness
If you value historical memory, artistry, and tangible value, consider adding a 1910 Great Fire commemorative Goldback to your collection. Limited commemorative issues often sell out quickly; owning one now preserves both a piece of Idaho history and a meaningful artifact that keeps the lessons of the Big Burn alive.
