50 Oklahoma Goldback

The 50 Oklahoma Goldback Note Artwork

Vigilantia (Vigilance)

On the Oklahoma 50 Goldback, we honor the virtue Vigilantia, or Vigilance. She is the embodiment of unwavering courage in the face of nature’s fiercest storms. She  kneels in the tall grass, steady and composed, as a powerful tornado spirals across the horizon. She embodies the spirit of Oklahoma: a state that doesn’t just endure its storms, but leads the world in understanding them.

This artwork pays tribute to Oklahoma’s world-renowned role in advancing the science of severe weather. Behind Vigilantia are tools used in modern storm science: a Doppler on Wheels (DOW) unit, a mobile mesonet vehicle, and a weather balloon. In the foreground, her equipment case bears the name “Vigilantia,” a quiet yet firm declaration of the virtue she represents.

Each year, Oklahoma experiences an average of more than 60 tornadoes.

Yet in the wake of each storm, the true character of its people shines brightest. To be Oklahoman is to face the storm together, to stand ready not only for oneself, but for those beside you.

Inscribed at the bottom is a verse that speaks directly to the heart of this mission: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong.” — 1 Corinthians 16:13

For the 50 Oklahoma Goldback note mintage information, please see the Goldback Mintages page.