Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 67

The Pre-Long Beach Auction

Territorial Gold Coins

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 2045		Christopher Bechtler, ONE DOLLAR CAROLINA, 28 gr., N reversed (1837-42). NGC AU Details, rev repaired. We note a tiny ding in the field which has been burnished; all, with nice even golden color. Estimated Value $700 - 800. The William H & Beuelaress K. Helem Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,495
Lot 2046		Christopher Bechtler, ONE DOLLAR CAROLINA, 28 gr., N reversed (1837-42) NGC XF Details, damaged. Scratched and bent. Estimated Value $650 - 700. The William H & Beuelaress K. Helem Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,035
Lot 2047		Christopher Bechtler ONE DOLLAR N. CAROLINA, 30 Gr. PCGS graded AU-55. Light gold toning with reflective surfaces. As we have referenced elsewhere, the Bechtler mint was a private enterprise conducted at the residence of Christopher Bechtler, and operated by him and the Bechtler family. The enterprise was highly esteemed in its time, well covered in newspapers and financial journals, and served great utility in providing circulating coins in that region. There were no mints in North Carolina or Georgia until 1838, and the Bechtler enterprise, which began in 1830, filled an important niche. The federal government did not pester the Bechtlers, but allowed the private mint to continue in full operation, although now and again mention of it was made in the Annual Report of the Director of the Mint. Pop 14; 18 finer (PCGS # 10064) . Estimated Value $4,000 - 4,400. The William H & Beuelaress K. Helem Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $10,063
Lot 2048		Christopher Bechtler, ONE DOLLAR N. CAROLINA, 30 gr. Star. NGC AU Details, improperly cleaned. A very pleasing looking coin despite some faint hairilines from an old cleaning. Estimated Value $2,500 - 2,700. The William H & Beuelaress K. Helem Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,875
Lot 2049		Christopher Bechtler, ONE DOLLAR N. CAROLINA, 30 Gr. Star. PCGS graded EF-40. CAC Approved. Nicely toned with the deepest amber-orange shade at the periphery then lightening up to normal gold inwards. A scarcer variety. Pop 9 (PCGS # 10064) . Estimated Value $2,500 - 2,700. The William H & Beuelaress K. Helem Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $6,613
Lot 2050		Christopher Bechtler, $2.50 GEORGIA, 64 Gr. 22 Carats. PCGS graded AU-50. CAC Approved. Uneven "22." Light even toning. K-11, R.6. Breen-7756. GEORGIA GOLD, the uneven 22 is the diagnostic feature of this variety. Choice original light to medium coppery-gold covers the only lightly unabraded, surfaces. There is a small mark below the 64.C, the rims are choice and undamaged. The $2.50 Bechtler piece is in great demand among gold coin collectors due to its Georgia association. Even those who collect Federal "D" and "C" mint gold often include a few of these Bechtler coins in their sets. Scarce in all grades and among the finer known of this variety. Pop 7; 13 finer at PCGS (PCGS # 10073) . Estimated Value $9,000 - 10,000. The William H & Beuelaress K. Helem Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $16,100
Lot 2051		Christopher Bechtler, $2.50 GEORGIA, 64 gr. 22 carats - even 22 (1837-42). NGC VF Details, edge damage. A very rare variety that seldom appears at auction. Until 1842 the Bechtlers were engaged in other activities besides coining. The family remained in the jewelry business. An article in the Carolina Gazette indicated that as of August 1, 1836, Christopher Bechtler had moved his business to Back Street and for no apparent reason was calling in all bills to be paid by September 1. Christopher continued in the jewelry business until November 1841. The Bechtlers also were engaged in gunsmithing-manufacturing and inventing finely made rifles. Augustus particularly was renowned for his skill and inventiveness in this field. Christopher also attempted mining, but did not have much luck. His 400-acre farm contained several streams of which all were auriferous, but not prolific. Bechtler then tried to mine for gold, digging two to three miles of tunnels on his property in an unsuccessful try at finding and retrieving the elusive metal. Throughout the coining enterprise, Christopher was assisted by his son, Augustus. On July 6, 1840, "In consideration of the natural love and affection. & for & in consideration of the many services heretofore rendered him by the said Augustus," Christopher turned over his entire coining business to his son. This gift was reiterated in Christopher's will of November 28, 1842. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,100. The William H & Beuelaress K. Helem Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $5,060
Lot 2052		Christopher Bechtler, 5 DOLLARS CAROLINA, 134 Gr. 21 Carats, With Star. PCGS graded AU-55 PQ. CAC Approved. Nice even toning. This charming piece is light yellow in color with delicate green tendencies on both sides. the fields are entirely original, uncleaned, and the piece has a decidedly attractive appearance. No planchet irregularities such as rifts or grease streaks (as sometimes found), and best if all, the firm strike adds to its eye appeal today. It appears that the strike was carefully centered, with none of the letters show any type of weakness. Choice rims. Pop 10; 8 finer, 5 in 58, 3 in 61 (PCGS # 10097) . Estimated Value $7,000 - 8,000. The William H & Beuelaress K. Helem Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $14,950
Lot 2053		Christopher Bechtler, 5 DOLLARS GEORGIA, RUTHERF., 140 gr. 20 carats (distant) (1834-37). NGC AU Details, improperly cleaned. Perhaps used as jewelry at one time. Rare. Estimated Value $1,500 - 1,600. The William H & Beuelaress K. Helem Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,325
Lot 2054		Christopher Bechtler, 5 DOLLARS NORTH CAROLINA, 150 gr. 20 carats. Beaded. NGC AU Details, mount removed, repaired. Untoned. Extremely Rare and seldom offered. Sharp details and carefully preserved otherwise, a handsome offering of this extremely rare 150 grain issue from NORTH CAROLINA. The Bechtler coinage extended over a period of 20 years and was successful in every respect. It received the implied consent of the United States government and at the same time was widely accepted in the channels of commerce in many districts in North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. Based upon the recorded coinage of $2,241,850.50 from the period 1831-1840 plus additional specimens made in the next decade, it is probable that close to a million coins, if not more, were struck bearing the Bechtler imprint. Their prevalence in circulation at one time was attested to by one of Rutherfordton County�s older citizens who during the early 20th century told researcher Clarence Griffin that he was 16 years old before he ever saw any coins other than those minted by Bechtler. According to researcher Dr. Donald Kagin in his book Private Gold Coins and Patterns of the United States: Bechtler coins appearing later in 1834 bore the words "NORTH CAROLINA GOLD, CAROLINA GOLD, and GEORGIA GOLD. Since there were three different purities and corresponding weights appearing on the $5 gold coins (20 carats-140 grains; 21 carats-134 grains; and 22 carats-128 grains) it is believed that the location inscriptions actually designated three different degrees of fineness, regardless of where the stamped gold was mined. A statement by the Acting Director of the Mint supports this theory: "Bechtler location stamps are only to assist in indicating the different qualities, as they are generally understood in that region, Georgia gold being usually the best and North Carolina the poorest." The stamped location on the coins generally corresponded with the three degrees of fine gold content and was at least equal to and usually exceeded the new United States standard (129 grains of .900 fine gold for $5). Confirmation on this point might be found in the Bechtler advertisement, wherein he offered to make special coins from "Georgia and South Carolina gold." Note: Bechtler abandoned his coining enterprise in either 1849 or early 1850, after which he continued only as a jeweler. It is probably no coincidence that this was immediately after the Philadelphia, Charlotte, New Orleans, and Dahlonega Mints began giving him competition by coining gold dollars in quantity--discouraging a business in which the Bechtler family had enjoyed a monopoly for over 18 years. Bullion thereafter went preferentially to the federal branch mints; but Bechtler's coins continued to circulate side by side with the government's product. Estimated Value $20,000 - 25,000. Ex Dr. Conway Bolt Coll, April 1966, lot 1180; The William H & Beuelaress K. Helem Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $20,700
Lot 2055		August Bechtler, 1 DOLLAR CAROLINA, 27 Gr. 21 Carats. PCGS graded AU-55. Lightly toned with semi-prooflike surfaces. Here is a beautiful example of this scarce coin, struck in the later period by August Bechtler, the surfaces show typical uneven areas but almost none of the usual handling ticks visible with a glass. Everythign is choice and attractive. Near the devices, the coin retains its mich mint freshness, and appears. It is difficult to imagine how such a coin survived in AU55 condition all these years, demand for gold coinage was high, and most were spent countless times to support merchants in transactions. Pop 79 (PCGS # 10040) . Estimated Value $2,200 - 2,400. The William H & Beuelaress K. Helem Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,000
Lot 2056		August Bechtler, 1 DOLLAR CAROLINA, 27 Gr. 21 Carats. PCGS graded AU-53. Lightly toned with attractive fields and devices; all legends carefully struck. Pop 49 (PCGS # 10040) . Estimated Value $2,100 - 2,300. The William H & Beuelaress K. Helem Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,645
Lot 2057		August Bechtler, 1 DOLLAR CAROLINA, 27 Gr. 21 Carats. PCGS graded AU-50. Lightly toned with semi-reflective surfaces. Well struck. It is amazing to us that this piece could have survived so well preserved, with so few marks and such splendid luster, when most of these are no better than EF or are dinged up and bent. Pop 79 (PCGS # 10040) . Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,200. The William H & Beuelaress K. Helem Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,415
Lot 2058		August Bechtler, 5 DOLLARS CAROLINA, 134 gr. 21 carats (1842-50). NGC AU Details, improperly cleaned. Lovely golden toning within the protected areas. Some weakness about the rims as made and some scatteed marks as well. Rare and quite pleasing. Bechtler made his own dies, punches, presses, and other equipment; his output of $1, $2.50 and $5 gold coins was of honest weight, and its variations from stated fineness were entirely from limitations in available technology, according to historians of the period. Between 1831 and about 1846 Bechtler�s establishment coined over $2.2 million; federal mint officials made no attempt to interfere, knowing that the Constitution was on Bechtler's side. For decades even after the Civil War, many people in the South never saw any other gold than Bechtler's, and contracts were frequently made payable in the latter. Estimated Value $4,000 - 4,500. The William H & Beuelaress K. Helem Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,900
Lot 2059		August Bechtler, 5 DOLLARS CAROLINA, 141 Gr. 20 Carats NGC graded AU Details. Tooled and cleaned. Not as bad as the description sounds on the NGC slab. A very pleasing looking example. The design of this piece is at once simple and serviceable. There are no special design elements, except perhaps for the star on the obverse. The lettering appears entered in the die with a utilitarian purpose, and with little regard for artistry. For example, the letters of CARATS below the 5 are misaligned with the other letters. The neighboring G appears to have tripped and fallen away from the GOL as if it did not want to be associated with the others. Many engraving irregularities could be pointed out on both sides, especially regarding improper spacing. And yet…the Bechtler gold coins served a function. Well into the 1860s these hard-working coins were found circulating throughout the region, indeed, far away from their mint of issue, and in competition with regular-issue U.S. gold coins! Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,000. View details and enlarged photos	Unsold
Lot 2060		1852 Humbert TEN DOLS. 2 over 1. PCGS graded EF-45 PQ. CAC Approved. A nice untoned item. A coin that should be graded About Uncirculated. Characteristic light surface contact. Detail is clearly evident in the wings and body of the eagle. The shield and leg are less worn than indistinctly struck by the dies since there is much luster within the legends and throughout the protected areas of the reverse. In addition to the overdate, this issue has a notable diagonal reverse die break. Mint records show all were struck February 11-14, 1852. "Usually VF, rarely choice" observes the Breen encyclopedia. Pop 6; 15 Finer (PCGS # 10190) . Estimated Value $6,000 - 7,000. The William H & Beuelaress K. Helem Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $9,775
Lot 2061		1853 U.S. Assay Office $20 Gold, 900 THOUS. PCGS graded AU-58 PQ. A nice frosty example. During the California Gold Rush years, U.S. Assay $20 gold pieces became the most important gold coins in commerce before the San Francisco Mint opened in 1854. As such, they are often unavailable in high grades, let alone a lustrous AU58 like this specimen, even though quite a few were made. Assay Twenties are the most attractively priced big denomination territorial gold coins for those who like to hold a hefty gold coin in their hands. The issue of these predates the opening of the San Francisco Mint by one year. Most consider them semi-official issues of the United States Government. States on the obverse as "900 THOUS", it has 90% gold content, the same as Federal double eagles and weighs the same as a Federal twenty dollar piece. This coin is sharply defined with strong detail on the eagle's claws, arrows and shield. The pale green-gold surfaces show very few marks or other abrasions and have just extensive luster glistening within the patina. Pop 22 (PCGS # 10013) . Estimated Value $6,000 - 7,000. The William H & Beuelaress K. Helem Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $13,225