(1842-52) Bechtler Gold Dollar
Kagin-24b.
Clipped Planchet
NGC AU 58
Rare
SOLD
All major mint errors on U.S. Gold coins are very rare, especially on any U.S. Territorial gold piece. This Bechtler Gold Dollar was struck on a clipped planchet. Although clipped planchets are not scarce on most denominations, any gold coin with a clip is very rare.
The Bechtlers were the first large-scale Private Gold Coiners before the Charlotte Mint was established in 1838. They also struck the first gold dollars- 18 years prior to the United States' Mint.
Christopher and his son, Augustus, struck gold $1's, $2 1/2's and $5's. The weight and fineness was stamped on each gold specimen.
There was an acute shortage of circulating gold coins in the South, which is one of the primary reasons why the Bechtler Mint flourished as coiners of Territorial Gold Pieces.
Eventually the Federal Government authorized Branch Mints in Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans to satisfy the public demand for gold coins.
Production from the Bechtler Mint declined after the opening of the Charlotte Mint. But their coinage was accepted for decades after the Bechtler Mint was closed.
The Bechtler Coin Press is housed in the American Numismatic Society Museum.
The original Bechtler Dies are in the State Hall of History in Raleigh.
The Bechtler Mint Rollers used to shape the ingots into strips, which eventually were punched into blank planchets to strike the gold coins, are housed in the Smithsonian Museum.
Gold Errors are featured in my
NLG Award winning book,
World's Greatest Mint Errors.
