My Territorial Gold Collection

boiler78 · August 27, 2017 7:33AM

Okay so one coin can't really be called a collection (this is currently my only territorial gold coin) but this is a coin that I was wowed by the first time I saw it in hand a few years back. I have always loved the design but never thought I would actually own one. After a bit of "horse trading" during and after the ANA show I was able to add it to my collection.

ironmanl63 · August 27, 2017 7:35AM

Neat coin. Congrats!

Zoins · August 27, 2017 7:36AM

Great coin!

MrEureka · August 27, 2017 7:40AM

If a gem 1850 $10 ever turns up in Baldwin's basement, we'll have to buy it!

steveben · August 27, 2017 9:23AM

wow. thats about the coolest $10 piece ever. coingrats.

PQueue · August 27, 2017 9:58AM

Very nice, congrats. Certainly one of the most appealing issues of California gold.

7Jaguars · August 27, 2017 9:59AM

That plus a "Cal" gold and an octagonal $50 would do it for me. Congrats! Absolutely beautiful!

Baldwin's basement is no more, thanks to the move away from the Embankment...

NVU · August 27, 2017 10:11AM

Very cool coin and design. If memory serves, about 10 years ago there was a story about someone wife donated his old golf shoe to Salvation Army which had this coin hidden inside and forgot all about it.

privaterarecoincollector · August 27, 2017 10:15AM

Its one of the three most beautiful Pioneer coins there are !

AUandAG · August 27, 2017 10:49AM

That's one hell of a collection!

I like!

bob

MrEureka · August 27, 2017 10:55AM

@NVU said:
Very cool coin and design. If memory serves, about 10 years ago there was a story about someone wife donated his old golf shoe to Salvation Army which had this coin hidden inside and forgot all about it.

Not this coin. It was the Garrett Cincinnati $10, struck over an Ormsby.

Boosibri · August 27, 2017 10:55AM

Epic

ricko · August 27, 2017 10:56AM

That is a beautiful gold coin... Congratulations...Cheers, RickO

ColonelJessup · August 27, 2017 11:02AM

You have a lot of potential. You should stick with this until something interesting shows up.

It's not easy settling for something just because it's exquisite.

coinsarefun · August 27, 2017 11:20AM

What a beautiful territorial, history and design. I love this piece.
I was always interested in territorials but only have 1 California gold token.

Lakesammman · August 27, 2017 11:20AM

Man - drooled all over that at the ANA - congrats!

You should buy back the Norweb 1848 Cal. from me now that you're on a roll.

Since I tend to buy your rejects, can't wait until you get tired of this one!

Regulated · August 27, 2017 1:20PM

I am so happy that you ended up with this coin - it's one of the coolest pieces that I've had the honor of handling, and I like seeing it end up with a friend who truly appreciates it...

NVU · August 27, 2017 1:52PM

@MrEureka said:

@NVU said:
Very cool coin and design. If memory serves, about 10 years ago there was a story about someone wife donated his old golf shoe to Salvation Army which had this coin hidden inside and forgot all about it.

Not this coin. It was the Garrett Cincinnati $10, struck over an Ormsby.

You're right, it was Cincinnati $10 instead. I didn't realize the story was 16 years ago, time sure flies. Both designs are very cool , nonetheless.

https://www.wired.com/2001/05/just-reward/
http://www.canadiancoin.com/coin_articles.asp?name=documents/archive/aaron_june_2001.txt&title=+Keep+Track+of+your+Coins

boiler78 · August 27, 2017 3:21PM

I do want to thank Regulated for working with me on a complicated trade arrangement to make the acquisition possible.

Cameonut · August 27, 2017 3:24PM

That is really nice.

Makes my Bechtler look like a POS.

Justacommeman · August 27, 2017 4:17PM

Stunned as usual. What a catch

Mark

topstuf · August 27, 2017 4:19PM

THAT is an area where I will continue to love US coins.

topstuf · August 27, 2017 4:21PM

Oh yeah.... and my HOLY GRAIL !!!

Yorkshireman · August 27, 2017 4:37PM

Nice

Justacommeman · August 27, 2017 5:03PM

That's what dreams are made of

m

ChangeInHistory · August 27, 2017 8:40PM

Outstanding coin, congrats on getting it

jonruns · August 28, 2017 5:01AM

I have recently acquired two gold territorials myself and think it is probably easy to get hooked on them...they are really cool and there's a ton of history behind them...

Outstanding coin and I'm guessing your collection of territorials might continue to grow!!!

Jon

SethChandler · August 28, 2017 10:24AM

Boiler78, I am so happy for you!! That is one of my all time favorite coins. Enjoy it! And please bring it out every now and then.

johnny9434 · August 28, 2017 11:21AM

thats one heck of a great start to something.

asheland · August 28, 2017 1:10PM

Seriously nice!!!

SmEagle1795 · August 28, 2017 1:23PM

Jeez, that is a phenomenal coin. Congratulations!!

coinnut · August 28, 2017 1:32PM

Beautiful design. Love it. Congrats on acquiring it.

Mercury · August 28, 2017 1:51PM

very nice, and a great design.

Justacommeman · August 28, 2017 4:39PM

@boiler78 said:
I do want to thank Regulated for working with me on a complicated trade arrangement to make the acquisition possible.

Were any souls sold to the devil in this transaction?

m

RogerB · August 28, 2017 4:57PM

Exceptionally nice vaquero coin!

Regulated · August 28, 2017 6:21PM

I do want to thank Regulated for working with me on a complicated trade arrangement to make the acquisition possible.

Were any souls sold to the devil in this transaction?

m

I tried to sell mine and nobody was buying.

Justacommeman · August 28, 2017 6:28PM

@Regulated said:

I do want to thank Regulated for working with me on a complicated trade arrangement to make the acquisition possible.

Were any souls sold to the devil in this transaction?

m

I tried to sell mine and nobody was buying.

Come on David! Everyone knows dealers don't have souls. Geez

m

northcoin · August 28, 2017 11:11PM

From Coin Facts:

"Baldwin & Co.'s first issues were $5 and $10 gold coins dated 1850. In 1851, Baldwin & Co. issued $10 and $20 gold coins. Unfortunately, an official assay revealed that Baldwin's coins contained less gold than their stated value, and all confidence in their coins disappeared."

So is that a $9 gold coin? Somehow I don't think you are going to be exercising your return privileges anyway.

Just like the Mormon Territorials the Baldwins remained unappreciated in their own time. Most likely the disfavor of the day consequent from their reduced gold content for both contributed to their rarity now.

Zoins · August 28, 2017 11:20PM

More information Kagin's, "Private Gold Coins and Patterns of the United States" reprinted in CoinFacts, indicating that many of the coins were melted due to being underweight. The beautiful design paired with low survivors makes this a wonderful rarity!

Most of the coins were quickly sold at a discount or melted by those who wished to cut their losses and recover what bullion they could. In addition, the merchants were quick to encourage the depreciation of the Baldwin coins, as it allowed them to discount the same 20 percent, thereby giving them a tidy profit when they sent their coins to the mint or assay office to be melted. Many of the Baldwin coins were received by the U.S. Assay Office and melted, and by December there was little Baldwin coinage left in circulation.

DCW · August 28, 2017 11:28PM

Wow, what a gorgeous piece of history! Congrats on this stunning new addition

Treashunt · August 29, 2017 3:37AM

A real beauty!

Regulated · August 29, 2017 10:15AM

@northcoin said:
From Coin Facts:

"Baldwin & Co.'s first issues were $5 and $10 gold coins dated 1850. In 1851, Baldwin & Co. issued $10 and $20 gold coins. Unfortunately, an official assay revealed that Baldwin's coins contained less gold than their stated value, and all confidence in their coins disappeared."

So is that a $9 gold coin? Somehow I don't think you are going to be exercising your return privileges anyway.

Just like the Mormon Territorials the Baldwins remained unappreciated in their own time. Most likely the disfavor of the day consequent from their reduced gold content for both contributed to their rarity now.

Baldwin's coins weren't terribly debased like the Mormons or Pacific Company. In fact, the assays conducted by the Mint at Philadelphia indicated that they contained more gold than a US $20.

It's entirely possible that the James King of William-induced panic in 1851 was a set-up. Remember that Humbert, who conducted the Assays for Jas. King of William, would have considered Baldwin the chief competitor to the Assay Office, who at the time operated with the disadvantage of only striking $50 gold pieces.

1630Boston · August 29, 2017 11:07AM

Congrats on completing your collection
I'm sure you will add to it though

Ablinky · August 29, 2017 1:48PM

Amazing coin, when I walked over to Kagin's table to talk to David about the Nova I saw the Baldwin $10 immediately and kept gravitating to it despite the many other cool things in the cases like a 1794 $1 and a handful of $50 slugs.

DorkGirl · August 29, 2017 2:18PM

northcoin · August 30, 2017 10:45AM

@Regulated said:

@northcoin said:
From Coin Facts:

"Baldwin & Co.'s first issues were $5 and $10 gold coins dated 1850. In 1851, Baldwin & Co. issued $10 and $20 gold coins. Unfortunately, an official assay revealed that Baldwin's coins contained less gold than their stated value, and all confidence in their coins disappeared."

So is that a $9 gold coin? Somehow I don't think you are going to be exercising your return privileges anyway.

Just like the Mormon Territorials the Baldwins remained unappreciated in their own time. Most likely the disfavor of the day consequent from their reduced gold content for both contributed to their rarity now.

Baldwin's coins weren't terribly debased like the Mormons or Pacific Company. In fact, the assays conducted by the Mint at Philadelphia indicated that they contained more gold than a US $20.

It's entirely possible that the James King of William-induced panic in 1851 was a set-up. Remember that Humbert, who conducted the Assays for Jas. King of William, would have considered Baldwin the chief competitor to the Assay Office, who at the time operated with the disadvantage of only striking $50 gold pieces.

Thanks for the added historical insight. Besides Kagin's book(s) do you have any other suggested readings to recommend for anyone wanting to delve further into the subject?

Regulated · August 30, 2017 11:33AM

@northcoin said:

@Regulated said:

@northcoin said:
From Coin Facts:

"Baldwin & Co.'s first issues were $5 and $10 gold coins dated 1850. In 1851, Baldwin & Co. issued $10 and $20 gold coins. Unfortunately, an official assay revealed that Baldwin's coins contained less gold than their stated value, and all confidence in their coins disappeared."

So is that a $9 gold coin? Somehow I don't think you are going to be exercising your return privileges anyway.

Just like the Mormon Territorials the Baldwins remained unappreciated in their own time. Most likely the disfavor of the day consequent from their reduced gold content for both contributed to their rarity now.

Baldwin's coins weren't terribly debased like the Mormons or Pacific Company. In fact, the assays conducted by the Mint at Philadelphia indicated that they contained more gold than a US $20.

It's entirely possible that the James King of William-induced panic in 1851 was a set-up. Remember that Humbert, who conducted the Assays for Jas. King of William, would have considered Baldwin the chief competitor to the Assay Office, who at the time operated with the disadvantage of only striking $50 gold pieces.

Thanks for the added historical insight. Besides Kagin's book(s) do you have any other suggested readings to recommend for anyone wanting to delve further into the subject?