Arkansas

The Natural State’s Golden Moment

Arkansas, the "Natural State," boasts a legacy of grit and adaptability—from surviving the frontier days to thriving amid the oil boom of the 1920s in Smackover. Though not a traditional gold rush state, Arkansas’s history of resourcefulness makes it a natural fit for the Goldback—a voluntary, gold-based currency. In a state that’s embraced diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park, why not extend that pioneering spirit to gold? The Goldback offers Arkansas a chance to blend its rugged past with a stable, innovative future.

Legislative Gold Rush: Arkansas Leads the Way

Arkansas is a likely next candidate for Goldbacks as Arkansas is in 5th place of the 2024 & 2025 Sound Money Index and all 6 current Goldback states are in the top 12 Sound Money Index. Arkansas’s legislature has struck gold for sound money. In 2023, House Bill 1718—the Arkansas Legal Tender Act—made gold and silver specie legal tender, eliminating all state taxes on their purchase, sale, or exchange, effective July 31, 2023. Signed by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, this law defines specie as coins or bullion valued by metal content, not form, and ensures no tax liability on gold transactions. Building on 2021’s sales tax repeal (SB 336) and with HB 1718, Arkansas is a gold-friendly haven—perfect for the Goldback’s everyday use.

Economic Stability and Arkansas Pride

The Goldback empowers Arkansas’s economy and heritage. Starting at 1/1000th of an ounce, it’s ideal for small buys—from Little Rock’s River Market to Bentonville’s craft stalls. With inflation threatening, its gold backing offers stability, resonating with Arkansans’ practical nature. Picture a Goldback series showcasing state icons: the Ozarks, diamonds, or oil derricks. These notes would be collectibles, boosting tourism and pride. Businesses adopting Goldbacks could draw sound-money enthusiasts, while dealers thrive under tax-free laws. This is Arkansas’s chance to shine—economically and culturally.

Arkansas-Specific Goldback Designs

Here’s how Arkansas’s Goldback denominations could celebrate its significant people and places:

• 1 Goldback (1/1000 oz): Features a diamond hunter at Crater of Diamonds State Park, honoring the world’s only public diamond mine where visitors keep their finds—like the 40.23-carat "Uncle Sam."
• 5 Goldback (1/200 oz): Depicts Blanche Barrow in a 1930s pose, nodding to the infamous Arkansan outlaw tied to Bonnie and Clyde, born near Dover.
• 10 Goldback (1/100 oz): Showcases the Old State House in Little Rock, its golden columns gleaming, marking Arkansas’s first capitol and a symbol of statehood.
• 25 Goldback (1/40 oz): Highlights Bill Clinton at the White House, celebrating the Hope native and 42nd U.S. President’s global legacy.
• 50 Goldback (1/20 oz): Pictures an Ozark Mountain vista with a fiddler, capturing Arkansas’s rugged beauty and rich musical heritage.

These designs weave Arkansas’s story into a currency that’s as enduring as the state itself.

A Golden Call to Lead the South

Utah, Nevada, and others have Goldbacks, but Arkansas can lead the South. With HB 1718’s gold-friendly laws, a top Sound Money Index ranking, and a history of tenacity, Arkansas is primed to pioneer this currency in the region. Let’s rally businesses and citizens to embrace a Goldback series. Imagine gold in every hand—from Fayetteville to El Dorado—proving Arkansas isn’t just the Natural State but the Golden State of the South. The time is now.

Step up. Make Arkansas golden.