Alaska

Alaska is a broad and cold land of great nature, located at the northernmost part of the United States. Its nickname is “The Last Frontier,” a name given because much vast wilderness still untouched by human hands remains.

The reverse of the coin depicts a grizzly bear holding a salmon in its mouth, with the North Star shining above it. The salmon is the state fish. Below is engraved the inscription “The Great Land.”

The scene of a grizzly bear catching a salmon symbolizes Alaska’s abundant nature. The image of the salmon swimming up the cold river and the bear hunting it shows the cycle of life that still continues in this land today. The North Star rising above brings to mind Alaska’s location at the far northern edge.

Alaska joined the U.S. Union as the 49th state on January 3, 1959. Among the 50 states, it is a place that became an official state very late, joining almost last.

This coin, which captures both Alaska’s wilderness and location with a bear, a salmon, and the North Star, summons the vast northern great nature into the palm of your hand. Looking at the coin, you can imagine the rugged beauty of “The Last Frontier.”