Lot 1482
Christopher Bechtler, ONE DOLLAR CAROLINA, 28 gr., N reversed. PCGS graded AU-50. (PCGS Pop. 15 in AU-50, only 53 graded higher, the highest grade being two MS-64 examples, and a total of 84 in all grades, 9/24/11).Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
Realized: $3,500
Lot 1483
Christopher Bechtler, ONE DOLLAR CAROLINA, 28 gr., N reversed. PCGS graded (Genuine, Surface Damage), Details of Extremely Fine.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Realized: $1,200
Lot 1484
Christopher Bechtler, ONE DOLLAR CAROLINA, 28 gr., N reversed. PCGS graded (Genuine, Cleaned), Details of Very Fine.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Realized: $2,400
Lot 1485
Christopher Bechtler, ONE DOLLAR N. CAROLINA, 30 gr. PCGS graded AU-55. Christopher Bechtler and his family operated a private mint in North Carolina in the 1830s and 1840s, producing gold coins for the local economy, all minted from locally mined gold. For many years those coins were more widely accepted than federal issues struck in Philadelphia, or at the branch mints in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Dahlonega, Georgia.All of the Bechtler coins, such as this 30 Grain piece, are highly popular with collectors today. (PCGS Pop. 13 in AU-55, only 18 graded higher, the highest grade being two MS-63 examples, and a total of 74 in all grades, 9/24/11).
Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
Realized: $6,250
Lot 1486
Christopher Bechtler, 5 DOLLARS CAROLINA, 140 gr. 20 carats. Plain edge. PCGS graded AU-55. The Bechtler family made its first gold coins--gold dollars, quarter eagles, and half eagles--in 1831, predating the U.S. Mint by some 18 years. In 1834, when the melt value of federal gold coins exceeded its face value, the gold content was adjusted, and gold coins actually began circulating for the first time in many years, rather than being hoarded or melted. Treasury officials advised the Mint to put the date of the authorizing legislation on the federal coins, but they were redesigned instead. Christopher Bechtler chose a different path, putting the date on the family coinage but keeping the familiar appearance that helped ensure their trusted status and circulation in the local economy.There are several variants of the 1834-37 five dollars, including reeded edge and plain edge varieties. This piece is also in spectacular condition. The still-lustrous greenish-gold surfaces are remarkably clean. (PCGS Pop. 3 in AU-55, only 8 graded higher, the highest grade being a single MS-62 example, and a total of 27 in all grades, 9/24/11).
Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.
Realized: $15,000
Lot 1487
Christopher Bechtler, 5 DOLLARS CAROLINA, 140 gr. 20 carats. Plain edge. PCGS graded EF-45. (PCGS Pop. 5 in EF-45, only 17 graded higher, the highest grade being a single MS-62 example, and a total of 27 in all grades, 9/24/11).Estimate $4,000 - 6,000.
Realized: $7,500
Lot 1488
Christopher Bechtler, 5 DOLLARS CAROLINA, 134 gr. 21 carats, with star. PCGS graded (Genuine, Surfaces Tooled), Details of Extremely Fine. It appears as if a small bit of tooling occurred on the obverse at top left.Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
Realized: $5,500
Lot 1489
August Bechtler, 1 DOLLAR CAROLINA, 27 gr. 21 carats. PCGS graded AU-58, a very rare coin in this high grade. A lovely coin with reddish copper patina. (PCGS Pop. 39 in AU-58, only 28 graded higher, the highest grade being five MS-63 examples, and a total of 335 in all grades, 9/24/11).Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
Realized: $4,500
Lot 1490
August Bechtler, 1 DOLLAR CAROLINA, 27 gr. 21 carats. About Uncirculated. Attractive copperish red toning. A lovely example.Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
Realized: $4,000
Lot 1491
August Bechtler, 1 DOLLAR CAROLINA, 27 gr. 21 carats. PCGS graded (Genuine, Surface Damage), Details of Very Fine.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Realized: $1,500