Wyoming

Introduction of Reverentia

• Represents Reverence/Respect and debuts in Wyoming's 1 Goldback denomination.
• Depicted as a Shoshone Native American woman in traditional buckskin dress, symbolizing cultural and spiritual connection.
• Caption below her reads: “Revere what is Sacred.”
• Her free-flowing hair emphasizes freedom, tying it to deeper spiritual and natural themes.

Symbolism of the Bald Eagle

• Perched on Reverentia’s arm with falconry gear, symbolizing freedom and a divine messenger from the Creator.
• Connects respect for creation with reverence for the Creator.

Surrounding Sunflowers

• Represent life and beauty.
• Symbolize the idea of facing the source of light (the Creator) to absorb life and let it shine through.

Devil's Tower (Mato Tipila)

• Sacred Native American site in the background, central to regional mythology.
• Legend of Seven Girls: Seven ladybugs on the sunflowers represent the girls saved by the Great Spirit, forming the constellation Pleiades.
• Bears' claw marks on the formation signify their failed attempts to reach the girls.

American Bison and Bison Skull

• Symbols of strength, abundance, and stability.
• Represent Wyoming's heritage and the tribal logos of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho.
• Placement signifies the cyclical nature of life and death, emphasizing balance and respect for this cycle.

Central Theme

Reverentia stands between life and death, reinforcing the importance of having peace and respect for the ever-present cycle of existence.

• Virtue Representation:
  • Audentia symbolizes Boldness and Fearlessness.
  • Depicted as a rodeo queen in formal attire, accompanied by her horse.
• Symbolism and Themes:
  • Biblical Story of Esther:
    • A metaphor for Audentia's attributes of boldness and fearlessness.
    • Esther, an ethnic and religious minority, displayed courage to save her people despite immense risks.
    • Highlights preparation, patience, and seizing the right moment.
  • Roses and Thorns: Symbolize the beauty and danger of boldness. Encourage thoughtful timing and confidence in action.
  • Scroll: Represents harmful decrees that threaten the innocent.
  • King's Scepter: Represents grace and reward for boldness.
  • Ropes: Symbolize justice and vindication against those who conspire evil.
• Caption: Below Audentia reads the inspiring message: "Doubt Not, Fear Not".

• Fiducia's Appearance:
  • Depicted as a pioneer woman and future settler of Star Valley, Wyoming.
  • Accompanied by the phrase “Trust in the LORD.”
  • Symbolizes preparation, faith, and trust in higher guidance.
• Backdrop:
  • Split Rock: Represents following the path of those who have gone before, a symbol of perseverance and direction.
• Birch Wood Basket:
  • Fiducia carries birch wood, representing hope, new beginnings, and cleansing of the past.
  • In Native American culture, birch wood is associated with truth and starting anew.
• Steel Flint Striker:
  • Positioned in the foreground, symbolizes the action and work required to spark new beginnings and realize potential.
  • Surrounded by Indian paintbrush and sagebrush, adding to the theme of renewal and resilience.
• Yoked Oxen:
  • Symbolize hard work, shared burdens, cooperation, equality, and consistent effort.
  • Nods to Wyoming’s historical milestone as the first state to grant women voting rights.
• Message:
  • Encourages trusting in righteous paths and the wisdom of predecessors to reach one's full potential.

Symbolism Highlights:

• Split Rock: Perseverance and guidance from past journeys.
• Birch Wood: Hope, truth, and renewal; potential for growth and transformation.
• Steel Flint Striker: Effort needed to ignite change and opportunity.
• Yoked Oxen: Cooperation, equality, and the spirit of shared labor.
• Indian Paintbrush and Sagebrush: Resilience and beauty in challenging environments.
• Voting Rights: Historical recognition of equality and trust in justice.

This imagery collectively embodies trust, preparation, and faith in overcoming challenges and building new beginnings.

Fideletas, or Loyalty, is illustrated for the first time on the Wyoming 25 Goldback Denomination as a good ol’ Wyoming ranch girl waiting for her groom to show up to their wedding. She is backdropped by the Grand Teton Mountains and the small log Episcopal Chapel of the Transfiguration, completed in 1925 and located in Grand Teton National Park. This depiction of Fideletas lends from the parable of the ten virgins from the Gospel of Matthew and draws parallels between filling one’s lamp with oil in preparation for a highly anticipated event and actions taken because of loyalty. Part of being truly loyal to someone or something is being ready and prepared to act on its behalf when the correct moment presents itself. In the spirit of this type of loyalty, Fidelitas can be seen sitting on the wooden fence, dressed in simple wedding attire, wearing a bridal wreath, holding a lit oil lamp in one hand and a cruse of oil in the other, and accompanied by the inscription “Faithful to the End”.

Symbolism

• Oil Lamp and Cruse of Oil: Represents preparation and loyalty, aligning with the parable of the ten virgins.
• Inscription "Faithful to the End": Reinforces the theme of unwavering loyalty.
• Cattle Dog: Symbolizes faithfulness and companionship.
• Bread, Wine, and Salt: Represent Christian symbols of loyalty and covenant, tying loyalty to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
• Cow: Symbol of plenty and blessings that come from loyalty.
• Wheat Ready for Harvest: Represents the rewards of loyal deeds and the separation of the loyal from the disloyal.

The underlying message of this design is that loyalty involves preparation, readiness to act, and steadfast faith, yielding spiritual and tangible blessings.

• Depiction of Libertas:
  • Represented as a mid-20th-century hiker in Yellowstone National Park.
  • Inspired by Deborah, the Lady of Torches, from the Old Testament.
• Symbols and Their Meanings:
  • Flashlight in her left hand: Modern torch symbolizing guidance and clarity.
  • Walking staff in her right hand: Represents divine guidance.
  • Canteen on her wrist: Symbolizes life sustained by Liberty.
  • Sword (on her pack) and shield (at her feet): Represent vigilance and defense of Liberty against threats.
  • Wild flowering raspberries: Represent natural beauty and harmony in freedom.
  • Old Faithful and Osprey Falls in the background: Iconic symbols of endurance and majesty in the natural world.
  • Wolves: Symbolize community and cooperation.
  • Mother grizzly bear: Represents fierceness needed to protect and nurture Liberty.
• Key Themes:
  • Liberty requires vigilance, preparedness, and a balance of strength and cooperation.
  • Drawing from nature, history, and divine guidance highlights the multifaceted aspects of freedom.