1 Oklahoma Goldback

The Oklahoma 1 Goldback features the virtue Perseverantia—Perseverance—honoring the state’s origin story: the Land Run of 1889. On April 22, 50,000 settlers surged into the Unassigned Lands to claim their piece of 160 acres. This race ignited a frenzy of ambition. Within hours, entire towns like Oklahoma City and Guthrie sprang up from the dust, reshaping the future of the territory and its people.

The composition draws inspiration from the Centennial Land Run Monument in Oklahoma City, capturing the chaos, courage, and complexity of this historical event. It also references the competing narratives of Boomers and Sooners—those who advocated for land access and those who claimed it early. 

Beneath the triumph lies a deeper truth. The land had been part of Indian Territory, taken from Native nations whose lives were profoundly altered. This layered legacy is not ignored. It is acknowledged as part of the state’s complex and continuing story.

At the center of the scene, a young pioneer woman on horseback charges forward. Her wind-swept hair, flowing dress, and mighty horse mirror the intensity of the moment when thousands moved as one—toward hope, toward home. In her hand, she grips a land stake embroidered with the word “Perseverantia,” marking her pursuit of a new beginning. Etched onto her saddle is the phrase “The Sooner State.” This proud yet complicated title speaks to Oklahoma’s unique identity and the blurred lines between lawful ambition and jumping the gun.

In the background, riders and wagons thunder across the open plains, surrounded by a richly symbolic landscape. The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, the state bird, soars overhead. Purple Coneflowers and Blue Wild Indigos bloom beneath galloping hooves. These native plants reflect resilience and renewal, their presence reminding us that both the land and the people who settled it were tested—and endured.

In this artwork, Perseverantia is more than a name. It is the quiet resolve of those who faced uncertainty and pushed forward. It is the heartbeat of every Oklahoman who chose not just to survive, but to build something lasting. This piece is more than a historical depiction; it is a tribute to the unshakable will of Oklahoma. 

The scripture 2 Timony 4:7 is inscribed at the bottom. It reads: “I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”