½ Florida Goldback

The Florida Half Goldback represents the virtue "Spes" (Hope) through a Spanish conquistador kneeling before the mythical Fountain of Youth. This artwork weaves together history and myth, commemorating Juan Ponce de León’s 1513 expedition and his hopeful quest for the rejuvenating spring. The scene is rich with symbolism, including a Zebra Longwing butterfly and a Florida Cracker horse, which represent transformation and endurance. The piece honors Florida's history as a place of new beginnings, celebrating the enduring human pursuit of renewal and possibility.