What was the term used in early colonial California for a dried steer hide?

The correct term used in early colonial California for a dried steer hide is "hides and skins." This terminology reflects the significant role that cattle ranching played in the economy during that period. Dried steer hides were not only a source of material for various goods but also served as a form of currency in trade among ranchers and traders, especially in a frontier economy where traditional currency was less accessible.

"Hides and skins" represented an important trade item, as they could be used to purchase other necessities and contributed to the local economy. The hides were often sold or bartered for goods from other markets, effectively serving as a medium of exchange, which is how they gained this relevance.

The other options mentioned do not accurately describe the dried steer hide. "California promissory note" and "California bank note" refer to formal financial instruments that emerged later, not directly tied to the physical trade of hides. "Steer currency" is not a commonly recognized term used in historical contexts pertaining to colonial California. Thus, "hides and skins" is the most appropriate and accurate answer for what early colonial Californians called a dried steer hide.