Usage
The 1851 10-cent United States stamp (Scott #13-#16) was issued to meet the need for a specific rate for long-distance, prepaid, single-letter mail (over 3,000 miles) and was notably used for California/Oregon mail, becoming a staple of early westward expansion. The stamp, featuring George Washington, was part of a new series mandated by an 1851 Act that drastically reduced postage rates. The new rates were as follows:

Transcontinental Rate: 10 cents per half-ounce for distances exceeding 3,000 miles, effective with the Postage Act of March 3, 1855.

Double Letter Rate: Used in combination to pay double rates (1 ounce) for shorter distances or other heavier, prepaid domestic letters.

Foreign Mail: Frequently used to cover postage for letters to specific foreign destinations, depending on treaty rates. The Canadian rate was used for prepaid mail to Canada, which was set at 10 cents for the first ounce. It was also commonly used for the mail to France and Germany.

The 1851 Context
Although the 10¢ was added in 1855, it belonged to the 1851–1857 issue, which was authorized by the Postal Act of March 3, 1851, effective July 1, 1851, aimed at reducing rates and encouraging prepayment.

Longlivety
Unlike the 5-cent stamp, the 10-cent plate was durable, with less visible wear over its lifetime.

Significance
While the 3-cent stamp was the "workhorse" for general mail, the 10-cent was crucial for connecting California and Oregon with the rest of the country, acting as a crucial link during the gold rush era.