1857/0 $10 Baldwin 'Restrike' - Pewter - California Gold Patterns PCGS

The 1850 Baldwin "Horseman" Territorial ten dollar issue serves as the design inspiration for this 2002 restrike. It is dated 1857/0 on the obverse, and 2002 on the reverse. It also reads “SS Central America” upon the reverse.

The obverse of the original 1850 Baldwin & Co. ten dollar gold piece displays the greatly admired Vaquero design, one of the most evocative and popular designs of the entire Territorial gold series. The original die was engraved by Albert Kuner. That motif was inspired by a print entitled "Californians Throwing the Lasso," which was published in the 1831 book Narrative of a Voyage to the Pacific and Beering's Strait by F.W. Beechy.

Contrasting from the typical designs of Gold Rush era coinage, which generally was simple, and often crude, imitations of the familiar federal designs, the Vaquero was an elaborate, finely detailed interpretation of Western life. Collectors have always cherished this issue for its beauty, rarity, and purely American spirit.

The design on the 1857 coin was inspired by this print entitled "Californians Throwing the Lasso," which was published in the 1831 book Narrative of a Voyage to the Pacific and Beering's Strait by F.W. Beechy. Public domain.