Silver Plate California bear California Pioneers, NSGW "golden bear" stick pin for the lapel. (1.8 x 1.25") with 2.1" pin. This piece is solid on the reverse, no maker, engraved "R.T. Osborn Sacto, Cal. Aug, 1849". Osborn is not listed in Bancroft's California Pioneer listing, nor found in a search of the Alta Californian. The bear is typical and most probably a specific piece of the California Puioneeers or the Native Sons of the Golden West. Members had a choice of silvedr plate brass, silver, or gold. Most chose the less expensive variety. The other organization of California Pioneers was the Territorial Pioneers of California based in New York. Other forms of the "silver bear" are found on NSGW and Pioneer breast/parade ribbons, though these are generally not flat on the back and are made from a thin, die struck planchet. It is indeed a rarity to find these with period engraving. Rare.Date: Country (if not USA): State: CaliforniaCity: Provenance: