2 Goldback - Utah (Revised)

Gratia (Grace)

“The Lord will provide.” — Genesis 22:14

The Utah 2 Goldback illustrates the virtue Gratia, or grace, through a pioneer woman experiencing profound gratitude in the midst of a miracle. In the spring of 1848, swarms of crickets descended upon the Salt Lake Valley during the settlers’ harvest, threatening to devour their crops and jeopardize their survival. Following the pioneers’ fervent prayers, flocks of California gulls suddenly arrived, consuming the insects and saving the settlement from a devastating famine. This extraordinary event was remembered as the Miracle of the Gulls.

In the artwork, Gratia looks heavenward with awe and gratitude, while sunbeams hidden in the UV layer illuminate her face. California gulls surround her with crickets in their beaks, acting as symbols of unexpected deliverance. In the background stands a sod-roof cabin, a common home for the early pioneer settlers. They used sod for roofs due to lumber shortages, showing their adaptability in the midst of hardship.

Gratia reflects the humility and thankfulness that grew from this experience, reminding us to recognize blessings even in moments of crisis. Inscribed along the bottom is the enduring principle: “The Lord will provide.” – Genesis 22:14