Whitman Expo
1850 Baldwin 10 Dollar Gold MS Horseman, K-3 Values
Details
Baldwin’s earliest issue, the “Vaquero” or “Horseman” $10, is widely considered a masterpiece by collectors of pioneer gold coins. It was designed in early 1850 by Albrecht Kuner, originally for use by Kohler & Company whose equipment the firm purchased in March of 1850. Somewhere between 20 and 25 examples exist in private hands, with the finest known being a near gem BU. A handful of pieces are known in mint state, and any of these would probably merit inclusion in the condition census. The Baldwin Horseman’s design is the last privately minted California gold coin whose design is not loosely based upon a U.S. federal gold coin. The Horseman $10s edge is coarsely reeded, and appears to match the Miners’ Bank $10s, struck by Baldwin’s predecessor, Kohler & Company.
Obverse: California Vaquero above 1850., CALIFORNIA GOLD. TEN DOLLARs. Around, KUNER engraved on base
Reverse: Federal eagle BALDWIN & Co. SAN FRANCISCO. 10 stars around
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
San Francisco
Mintage:
20–25 known
Coinage Type:
Private & Pioneer Gold
Coinage Years:
1850-51
Composition:
Gold
Varieties and Classification
Variety:
Baldwin
Variety 2:
Horseman, K-3
Rarity:
R-6
Physical Characteristics
Strike Type:
Business
Coin Shape:
Round
Design Details
Designer:
Albrecht Kuner
Obverse Lettering:
1850., CALIFORNIA GOLD. TEN DOLLARs, KUNER
Obverse Designer:
Albrecht Kuner
Reverse Lettering:
BALDWIN & Co. SAN FRANCISCO
Reverse Designer:
Albrecht Kuner
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