Arizona 50 Goldback

(1) Arizona 50 Goldback, 1/20 troy ounce 24k gold 

Curiositas (Curiosity)

Be still and trust God

High in the crisp mountain air of northern Arizona, a small observatory helped unlock one of the greatest astronomical discoveries of the 20th century. At Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, 24-year-old Clyde Tombaugh identified Pluto in 1930, expanding humanity’s map of the solar system and sparking imaginations across the world. 

The Arizona 50 Goldback honors this landmark achievement by personifying the virtue of Curiositas, or Curiosity, the boundless drive to question, seek, and discover. In the artwork, a young woman gazes skyward with wonder, holding a book embossed with Pluto’s symbol in her right hand and a telescope in her left. Behind her, the iconic observatory dome rises under a star-studded sky. A vintage newspaper clipping on the table recalls the headlines that once proclaimed Pluto as the ninth planet. Above, Pluto itself appears alongside its moon, Charon—a reminder that discovery often reveals more than we first expect.

Pluto’s journey, like curiosity, shows that discovery is always evolving. Once celebrated as the ninth planet, Pluto was reclassified in 2006 as a dwarf planet, sparking global debate but never losing its magic. In fact, the change underscored science’s true nature, reshaping itself as new knowledge emerges. Discovery begins with the small spark of curiosity, and from that spark, whole new worlds come into view.

Today, Lowell Observatory thrives as both a world-class research center and a destination for visitors seeking their own moment of wonder under Arizona’s famously clear skies. From historic telescopes to public stargazing programs, it continues to inspire generations. The Arizona 50 Goldback captures this spirit, celebrating the legacy of discovery that began in Flagstaff and reminding us that curiosity will always guide us to the stars.

This enduring principle is written along the bottom: “Be still and trust God.”.