The unprecedented crossover underscores his personal efforts to combat “grade inflation.”
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 Description
California Vaquero above 1850., CALIFORNIA GOLD. TEN DOLLARs. Around, KUNER engraved on base
Reverse Description
Federal eagle BALDWIN & Co. SAN FRANCISCO. 10 stars around
Catalog Information
View more data, info, and visualizations. Get access to retail and wholesale pricing as well as auction data.
Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS64 |
|
$1,800,000 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,500,000 | $1,234 |
| MS63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
Greysheet News
Dazzling rarities, free educational opportunities, family fun and more await at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
The designs will be featured on a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a half dollar clad coin.




