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  Total Value: $589,192.00

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The first private gold coinage in the 19th century was struck by Templeton Reid, a jeweler and gunsmith, in Milledgeville, Georgia, in July 1830. To be closer to the mines, he moved to Gainesville, where most of his coins were made. Although weights were accurate, Reid's assays were not and his coins were slightly short of claimed value. Accordingly, he was severely attacked in the newspapers and soon lost the public's confidence. He closed his mint before the end of October in 1830; his output had amounted to only about 1,600 coins. Denominations struck were $2.50, $5, and $10.

The enigmatic later issues of Templeton Reid were probably made from California gold. Reid, who never went to California, was then a cotton-gin maker in Columbus, Georgia, where he died in 1851. The coins were in denominations of ten and twenty-five dollars. Struck copies of both exist in various metals. The only example known of the twenty-five-dollar piece was stolen from the cabinet of the U.S. Mint on August 16, 1858. It was never recovere.

A skilled German metallurgist, Christopher Bechtler, assisted by his son August and his nephew, also named Christopher, operated a private mint in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Rutherford County and other areas in the Piedmont region of North Carolina and Georgia were the principal sources of the nation's gold supply from 1790 until the California gold strikes in 1848.

The coins minted by the Bechtlers were of only three denominations, but they covered a wide variety of weights and sizes. Rotated dies are common throughout the series. In 1831, the Bechtlers produced the first gold dollar in the United States. The U.S. Mint struck its first circulating gold dollar in 1849. Bechtler coins were well accepted by the public and circulated widely in the Southeast.

The inscription AUGUST 1.1834 on several varieties of five-dollar pieces has a special significance. The secretary of the Treasury recommended to the Mint director that gold coins of the reduced weight bear the authorization date. This was not done on federal gold coinage, but the elder Christopher Bechtler evidently acted on the recommendation to avoid difficulty with Treasury authorities.

Coin ID
Type
Date
Svc
Grade
Price
Images
Coin Description
Territorial Gold
RC3190
Territorial Gold
PCGS
MS61
(1834-37) C Bechtler $5 K-17 PCGS MS61. K-17, R-5. 140G, 20C, RUTHERFORD. Flashy, lustrous BU...More >>>
RC3138
Territorial Gold
PCGS
MS61 CAC
(1837-42) C Bechtler $2.50 PCGS MS61 CAC, 70g, 20c, K-13, R-6. Rare with CAC sticker! CAC pop 1/3 (7 total)...More >>>
RC31792
Territorial Gold
PCGS
AU58
(1842-50) A Bechtler G$1 K-25 PCGS AU58. K-25, R-7. 27g, 21c. Reeded edge. Rare. Ex Newcomer / Allen...More >>>
RC175087
Territorial
PCGS
XF det
K-1, R-6. "Repaired". Iconic first Territorial issue. Between one and two dozen known. Red Book XF=300,000.More >>>
RC3408001
Territorial
NGC
VG10
1849 Mass & Calif Co Silver Half Eagle - 1849 Mass & Calif Co Silver $5 K-2a NGC VG10. K-2A. Silver. R-7. Looks F15+!...More >>>
RC36992
Territorial Gold
PCGS
VF35 CAC
1849 Moffat Eagle SSCA - 1849 Moffat $10.00 S.S. Central America PCGS VF35 CAC. This rare 1849 Moffat Eagle SS Central America comes with the provenance of the shipwrecked...More >>>
RC39315
Territorial Gold
PCGS
AU55
1849 Mormon Quarter Eagle - 1849 Mormon $2.50 PCGS AU55. K-1, KM-102. Bright mint luster peeks out near the rim of this rare 1849 Mormon Quarter Eagle, which is...More >>>
RC3140004
Territorial Gold
NGC
AU50
1849 Mormon $5 - 1849 Mormon Half Eagle NGC AU50. K-2, R5. This rare still lustrous 1849 Mormon Half Eagle has greenish-gold surfaces. It is fresh to the market and comes...More >>>
RC3207071
Territorial Gold
NGC
XF40
1849 Mormon Half Eagle - 1849 Mormon $5 NGC XF40...More >>>
RC3207071
Territorial Gold
NGC
XF40
1849 Mormon Half Eagle - 1849 Mormon $5 NGC XF40. This crusty and beautiful 1849 Mormon Half Eagle is well struck on the center of the reverse. The eye has the full...More >>>
RC31416
Territorial Gold
PCGS
VF30
1849 Pacific $5, PCGS VF30. K-4. R-7+. This Territorial, Pacific Company die trial comes in a PCGS OGH (old green holder). The piece is unique at PCGS. The coin is a copper...More >>>
RC36836
Territorial Gold
PCGS
VF30
1849 Pacific $5, PCGS VF30. K-4. R-7+. This Territorial, Pacific Company die trial comes in a PCGS OGH (old green holder). The piece is unique at PCGS. The coin is a copper gilt...More >>>
RC6174001
Territorial
NGC
AU53 CAC
1850 White Metal Gilt $10 Baldwin K-1g Restrike NGC AU53 CAC. Baldwin Horseman Restrike, K-1G, Gilt White Metal, CAC Approved. Only 3 Known to Exist in Gilt...More >>>
RC6685002
Territorial
NGC
AU55
1850 $5 Moffat NGC AU55...More >>>
RC31791
Territorial Gold
NGC
XF45
1850 Baldwin $5 NGC XF45. Scarce Gold Rush issue...More >>>
RC3181
Territorial Gold
NGC
AU55
1850 Baldwin $5 NGC AU55. K-2, R-5. Scarce Gold rush issue...More >>>
RC9281
Territorial
PCGS
F15
K-2, R-5. Rare California issue. Only three dozen known. PCGS:17,500. PCGS 1/25 NGC 0/10More >>>
RC9350
Territorial
PCGS
F15
K-2, R-5. Rare California issue. Only three dozen known. PCGS:17,500.More >>>
RC6717001
Territorial
NGC
AU55
1851 $50 Humbert Reeded Edge, .887 Fine Gold NGC AU55...More >>>
RC9282
Territorial
NGC
AU53
K-6, R-4. 887T. Reeded Edge. Balanced example w/ corners intact. PCGS:65,000.More >>>
RC31391
Territorial Gold
NGC
MS64
1851 S.F. Standard Mint $5 NGC MS64 K-1. Nickel Alloy. 22.7mm. Finest known! NGC Population: 1/0. PCGS Population: 0/0....More >>>
RC6284003
Territorial
NGC
AU53
1852 $10 U.S. Assay - 1852 $10 U.S. Assay NGC AU53...More >>>
RC3167
Territorial Gold
PCGS
AU50
1852 Assay $10 SSCA PCGS AU50. Ex-SS Central America #1 (gold label). K-12a, R-4...More >>>
RC2946109
Territorial
NGC
MS60
K-14, R-5. Sharp; real Unc. Fresh to market. PCGS:175,000. PCGS 0/8 NGC 3/7
More >>>
RC3171
Territorial Gold
PCGS
XF40
1852 Humbert $10 SSCA PCGS XF40. Ex-SS Central America (gold label). K-10, R-6...More >>>
RC9283
Territorial
NGC
XF40

K-3,R-6. Rare variety in all grades. Balanced & pleasing.PCGS:18,500. Red Book=19,000. 4/6 2/6


More >>>
RC9352
Territorial
PCGS
VF35
Ex-SS Central America (gold label). Scarce Small Head variety. K-3, R-6. Only 9 on first recovery of ship (vs 59 Large Heads). VF/XF Red Book = 8,000/18,000 (vs Large Head 4200/7000)More >>>
RC9351
Territorial
NGC
XF40
K-3, R-6. Rare variety in all grades. Balanced & pleasing. PCGS:16,000. NGC:21,200. Red Book=19,000.More >>>
RC37116
Territorial Gold
PCGS
VF35
1852 Wass Molitor $10 Small Head SSCA - 1852 $10.00 Wass Molitor, Small Head, K-3, S.S. Central America, PCGS VF35. This scarce 1852 Wass, Molitor, and...More >>>
RC33190
Territorial Gold
PCGS
VF35
1852 Wass $10 Small Head SSCA PCGS VF35. Ex-SS Central America (gold label).  Scarce Small Head variety. K-3, R-6. Only 9 on first recovery of ship (vs 59 Large Heads). VF/XF Red Book = 8,000/18,000 (vs Large Head 4200/7000)...More >>>
RC31723
Territorial Gold
PCGS
AU50
1852 Wass $10 SSCA Large Head PCGS AU50. Ex-SS Central America (gold label). Bold, looks 55. Only 59 on the ship's first recovery; 2 on the second recovery...More >>>
RC9353
Territorial
PCGS
AU55
K-1, R-7-. Condition census example of an underrated Pioneer rarity. PCGS:87,500. Red Book AU/Unc = 40,000/80,000.More >>>
RC2150161
Territorial
PCGS
AU55
K-1, R-7-. Condition census example of an underrated Pioneer rarity. PCGS:87,500. Red Book AU/Unc = 40,000/80,000. PCGS-Pop-1/2 NGC-Pop-0/0More >>>
RC3207057
Territorial Gold
NGC
AU55
1852/1 Humbert Eagle - 1852/1 Humbert $10 NGC AU55. This very rare Choice AU Pioneer 1852/1 Humbert Gold Eagle has some muted mint luster remaining within its devices...More >>>
RC829231
California Fractional Gold
NGC
MS65
California Fractional Gold - 1853. R-4-. Octagonal Liberty w/ popular "Peacock" reverse. PCGS:9000. So named due to the design featuring glorious rays rising above the eagle. PCGS 2/1 NGC 4/1
More >>>
RC3194
Cal Fractional Gold
PCGS
MS64
1853 Arms of California PCGS MS64, R-5-. BG-435 50c Arms Rare! Crisp devices and lustrous surfaces...More >>>
RC38780
Territorial Gold
NGC
MS61
1853 Assay $10 900T NGC MS61. K-16, R-6-. 900 THOUS. Very scarce in Mint State. PCGS:30,000. NGC:27,000...More >>>
RC31801
Territorial Gold
PCGS
MS61
1853 Assay $20 PCGS MS61. K-17, R-7-. 884 THOUS. Ex Eliasberg. Red Book 75,000. PCGS:60,000...More >>>
RC3158
Territorial Gold
PCGS
MS61 CAC
1853 Assay $20 884T PCGS MS61 CAC. K-17, R-7-. Lovely eye-appeal. Rare variety. CAC pop 1 for the issue...More >>>
RC2150162
Territorial
NGC
AU58+
K-12, R-6. NGC Plus. Lovely slider. PCGS+:16,500. More >>>
RC31122
Territorial Gold
PCGS
AU50
1853 Moffat Double Eagle - 1853 Moffat $20 PCGS AU50. This lightly circulated, crisp 1853 Territorial Double Eagle has traces of subdued mint luster within its devices...More >>>
RC175088
Territorial
NGC
AU58
K-19, R-5+. Lustrous slider. Conditionally rare. Crisp. PCGS:42,500. PCGS 5/3 NGC 9/5 More >>>
RC31127
Territorial Gold
PCGS
AU53
1854 Kellogg $20 PCGS AU53. K-1a, R-4. Attractive pouch color. PCGS:13,500...More >>>
RC9354
Territorial
PCGS
AU55
Ex-SS Central America #2 w/ pinch & box. Only 26 examples in the second recovery; only 4 examples in the first recovery.More >>>
RC6293840
Territorial
PCGS
AU50
1855 $20 Kellogg PCGS AU50...More >>>
RC6748005
Territorial
NGC
XF45
1855 $50 Wass Molitor NGC XF45...More >>>
RC71091
Gold Commem
PCGS
Gem Proof
1855 Kellogg $50 SS Central America Commemorative Restrike. Completely original, with all accompanying documents in the box and the coin certified by PCGS...More >>>
RC72992
Gold Commem
PCGS
UNC.
1855 Kellogg $50 SS Central America Commemorative Restrike. Completely original, with all accompanying documents in the box and the coin certified by PCGS...More >>>
RC7918
Gold Commem
PCGS
UNC.
1855 Kellogg $50 SS Central America Commemorative Restrike. Completely original, with all accompanying documents in the box and the coin certified by PCGS...More >>>
RC9355
Territorial
NGC
AU53
Bold, lustrous w/ pleasing color. Looks 55+. PCGS:16,500.More >>>
RC7972001
Territorial Gold
PCGS
Gem Proof
1855 Kellogg $50 SS Central America Commemorative Restrike. Completely original, with all accompanying documents in the box and the coin certified by PCGS...More >>>
RC9237
Territorial Gold
PCGS
Gem Proof
1855 Kellogg $50 SS Central America Commemorative Restrike. Completely original, with all accompanying documents in the box and the coin certified by PCGS...More >>>
RC9240
Gold Commem
PCGS
Unc.
1855 Kellogg $50 Restrike PCGS Unc. If numerically graded, this outstanding 1855 Kellogg Restrike would undoubtedly receive an MS69 or 70 grade. It is a flawless marvel with no...More >>>
RC3856001
Territorial Gold
NGC
AU58
1855 Wass Mol Eagle - 1855 Wass Molitor $10 NGC AU58, K-6, High R5. This extremely rare, near-Mint State 1855 Wass, Molitor & Co. eagle has significant mint luster...More >>>
RC38651
Territorial Gold
PCGS
MS63
1860 Clark Gruber Quarter Eagle - 1860 Clark Gruber $2.50 PCGS MS63. This rare 1860 Clark Gruber Quarter Eagle is crisp and creamy with tremendous eye-appeal. It is tied for...More >>>
RC3591001
Territorial Gold
NGC
AU DETAILS Repaired
1860 Clark Gruber Eagle Mountain - 1860 1860 Clark Gruber $10 Mountain NGC AU DETAILS, Repaired...More >>>
RC3064002
Territorial Gold
NGC
AU DETAILS Obv Repaired
1860 Clark Gruber $10 Mountain NGC AU Details, Obverse Repaired - Pike's Peak Mountain $10. "Obverse Repaired", but gorgeous, with rich peripheral color & real AU55+ detail...More >>>
RC3257001
Territorial Gold
NGC
MS62
1860 Clark Gruber Quarter Eagle - 1860 Clark Gruber $2.50, NGC MS62. K-1, R-4. This Mint State Territorial 1860 Clark Gruber Quarter Eagle has significant mint luster...More >>>
RC3280013
Territorial Gold
NGC
XF45
1860 Clark Gruber $5 NGC XF45. Balanced and pleasing. Red Book (XF/AU)=4500/6250...More >>>
RC31722
Territorial Gold
NGC
AU53
1860 Clark Gruber $5 NGC AU53. Incredible pouch color. Old fat holder...More >>>
RC6280733
Territorial
PCGS
XF40
1861 $10 Clark Gruber PCGS XF40...More >>>
RC3415002
Territorial
NGC
VF20BN
1861 $20 Clark Gruber Copper, NGC VF20 BN...More >>>
RC3120515
Territorial Gold
PCGS
AU55
1861 Clark Gruber Eagle - 1861 Clark Gruber $10 PCGS AU55. K-7, R4. This Civil War dated 1861, Choice AU Clark Gruber & Co. eagle has a sharp strike except for...More >>>
RC3796018
Territorial Gold
NGC
AU55
1861 Clark Gruber $2.50 NGC AU55. Lightly circulated private Colorado gold issue...More >>>
RC3176
Territorial Gold
NGC
AU50
1861 Clark Gruber $20 NGC AU50. Pioneer rarity, fresh to market. Well-struck & medallic. Looks 53+. PCGS:80,000. Red Book AU=95,000...More >>>
RC3189
Territorial Gold
PCGS
AU50
1861 Clark Gruber $20 PCGS AU50. Pioneer rarity, fresh to market. Well-struck & medallic. Looks 53+. PCGS:115,000. Red Book AU=95,000...More >>>
RC9285
Territorial
PCGS
AU55
K-6, R-4. Bold strike. Smooth surfaces. PCGS:20,000.More >>>
RC3180
Territorial Gold
NGC
MS68
1869 BG-712 25c Cal Fractional Gold NGC MS68. Stunning eye-appeal. Single-finest for the issue, and tied finest for the denomination!..More >>>
RC3201
Territorial Gold
PCGS
MS65
1872 BG-1207 G$1 Cal Fractional Gold PCGS MS65. 1872 Round Indian. Tied for finest known. Lovely...More >>>
RC39003
Territorial Gold
NGC
MS63
1853 Assay $20 900T. NGC MS63. 1853 $20 U.S. Assay Office .900 (K-18, R-2) NGC MS-63. The piece that is offered here had one of the largest...More >>>
RC292003
Territorial Gold
NGC
MS63 CAC
1853 $20 Assay (1853 Double Eagle) NGC MS63 CAC. This mint state twenty dollar, U.S. Assay of Gold coin has clean, satiny surfaces with subdued mint luster....More >>>
RC37526
Territorial Gold
PCGS
AU55
1850 Baldwin $5 PCGS AU55. 1850 Baldwin & Co. $5 (K-2, R-5) PCGS AU-55; Baldwin & Co. produced private gold coinage in 1850 and 1851. Best known for their Horseman...More >>>
RC1849128
Cal Fractional Gold
NGC
MS65
1853. R-4-. Octagonal Liberty w/ popular "Peacock" reverse. PCGS:9000. So named due to the design featuring glorious rays rising above the eagle. More >>>
RC205811
Cal Fractional Gold
NGC
MS65
1853. R-4-. Octagonal Liberty w/ popular "Peacock" reverse. PCGS:9000. So named due to the design featuring glorious rays rising above the eagle.More >>>
RC30262
Territorial Gold
PCGS
AU55
C Bechtler $2.50 67G 21C PCGS AU55. C. Bechtler $2.50 (67 Grains, 21 Carats). Some mint luster remains within the lettering of this North Carolina territorial issue...More >>>
RC3697001
Territorial Gold
NGC
MS62 CAC
1837-42 C. Bechtler Quarter Eagle - 1837-42 C.Bechtler $2.50 NGC MS62 CAC. This undated, very rare, still lustrous 1837-42 C. Bechtler $2.50, 70G, 20C, Kagin 13...More >>>
RC3331
PCGS
AU58
(1837-42) C Bechtler $2.50 PCGS AU58. K-10 . 67g, 21c. K-10, R-5.More >>>
RC3858002
Territorial Gold
NGC
MS61 CAC
1837-42 C. Bechtler Quarter Eagle (1837-42 C.BECHTLE $2.5)  67G, 21C, R-5 NGC MS61 CAC. This rare, dateless, Mint State 1837-42 C. Bechtler Quarter Eagle...More >>>
RC31372
Territorial Gold
PCGS
MS61 CAC
C Bechtler Gold $1 PCGS MS61 CAC, 30g, Star. K-1, R-4. Crisp strike. Rich lustre and incredible color...More >>>
RC31860C
Territorial Gold
NGC
AU58
1860 Clark Gruber $10 NGC AU58. Choice Mountain $10! Ex-H.O. Mann...More >>>
RC3420008
Territorial Gold
NGC
AU58
1860 Clark Gruber $10 Mountain, NGC AU58. This low mintage, well preserved $10.00 1860 Territorial Gold Piece shows good definition on both sides...More >>>
RC3064002
Territorial Gold
NGC
AU Details
1860 Clark Gruber $10 Mountain, NGC AU Details. Whoever repaired this Clark, Gruber & Co. piece did an excellent job because it is an eye-appealing coin...More >>>
RC3651967
Territorial Gold
PCGS
XF40
1861 Clark Gruber $20 (1861 Clark Gruber Double Eagle), PCGS XF40. Traces of mint luster remain within the devices of this circulated Colorado territorial gold issue...More >>>
RC3G10
Territorial Gold
SEGS
MS61
1860 Clark Gruber PG$10 SEGS MS61. Fresh and lustrous...More >>>
RC33006
Territorial
NGC
AU det
1852 Humbert $10 NGC AU Details. K-10, R-5. Very lightly cleaned slider....More >>>
RC37045
Territorial Gold
PCGS
XF40
1852 Humbert $10 SSCA (SS Central America) PCGS XF45. The fields of this historic 1852 Humbert $10.00 ingot have a matt-like texture show some abrasions...More >>>
RC37059
Territorial Gold
PCGS
XF45
1852 Humbert $10 SSCA, PCGS XF45. Ex-SS Central America (gold tag, box & cert). This scarce, lightly circulated 1852 Humbert Eagle comes from the wreck of the S.S. Central America...More >>>
RC47356
Territorial Gold
PCGS
Genuine
1851 $50 Humbert 887 (1851 Humbert $50) PCGS Genuine. This genuine and rare fifty dollar buttery slug with a reeded edge has lightly tooled surfaces...More >>>
RC338976
Territorial Gold
NGC
AU50
1852 Humbert $50 (1852 $50 Humbert) NGC AU50. Here is a Humbert fifty-dollar slug with lots of luster remaining. Light wear is seen on the high points, in keeping with the grade...More >>>
RC3474002
Territorial Gold
NGC
AU50
1852 Humbert Fifty Dollar (1852 Humbert $50) NGC AU50. This lightly circulated 1852 Humbert slug has no distracting marks worth mentioning on its excellent surfaces...More >>>
RC31001
Territorial Gold
NCS
XF det
1851 $50 Humbert. 880 THOUS. NCS XF Details. Moderately repaired; 1851 $50 Humbert .880 THOUS. No 50 (K-5, R-5) NCS XF Details (Repaired, Whizzed)...More >>>
RC38005
Territorial Gold
NGC
AU55
1852 Humbert $50, 887 THOUS. Reeded Edge NGC AU55. A lightly circulated example of this popular and large territorial gold coin...More >>>
RC32003
Territorial Gold
NGC
AU55 CAC
1851 Humbert $50. NGC AU55. 880 Reeded. 1851 Humbert $50 Reeded Edge .800 (K-5, Low R-5) NGC AU-55. Offered here is a lightly circulated example...More >>>
RC38203
Territorial Gold
NGC
AU55 CAC
1851 Humbert $50 RE. NGC AU55 CAC. 887 THOUS. Gorgeous color & bloom...More >>>
RC3163130
Territorial Gold
PCGS
VF25
1852 Humbert $50 RE, Humbert 887, PCGS VF25. This circulated $50.00 reeded edge slug shows wear and abrasion in keeping with the grade...More >>>
RC3576506
Territorial Gold
PCGS
Genuine
1852 Humbert Gold $50 RE (1852 Humbert $50 RE Gold), PCGS Genuine. This genuine reeded edge 1852 Humbert Fifty Dollar slug shows traces of bright mint...More >>>
RC3206
Territorial Gold
NGC
Gem Proof
Humbert $50 Commemorative, SS Central America, Struck in 2008 from Kellogg & Humbert Gold, Ingot 830 & 555. Gem Proof #206 of 375...
More >>>
RC7281
Territorial Gold
PCGS
PRCAM
In 1850 Baldwin & Co. designed an 1850 $10 private gold coin that is known as The Horseman. The obverse displayed the image of a cowboy riding horseback...More >>>
RC7281
Territorial Gold
PCGS
PRCAM
In 1850 Baldwin & Co. designed an 1850 $10 private gold coin that is known as The Horseman. The obverse displayed the image of a cowboy riding horseback...More >>>
RC00019
Territorial Gold
NGC
MS62
1854. Fresh and lustrous. Medallic strike.More >>>
RC71855
Territorial Gold
PCGS
Gem Proof
1855 Kellogg $50 SS Central America Commemorative Restrike. Completely original, with all accompanying documents in the box and the coin certified by PCGS...More >>>
RC3520005
Territorial Gold
NGC
AU55
1855 Kellogg $20 (1855 Kellogg $20) NGC AU55. This choice Territorial 1855 Kellogg Double Eagle has a strong, full strike, which gives the coin a premium quality appearance...More >>>
RC33001
Territorial Gold
NGC
MS61
1852 Moffat $10 Wide Date NGC MS61. 1852 Moffat & Co. $10 Wide Date (K-9, R-6) NGC MS-61. An exceptional piece of this rare issue, this no doubt is the finest known Moffat & Co.More >>>
RC30007
Territorial Gold
NGC
AU58
1853 $20 Moffat & Co. NGC AU-58. A bold, lustrous and wonderful example of this rare territorial gold piece. Produced by Curtis, Perry and Ward...More >>>
RC690007
Territorial Gold
NGC
AU58
1853 $20 Moffat (1853 Double Eagle Moffat) NGC AU58. This rare, fully struck 1853 Double Eagle eagle shows mint luster remaining within protected areas of both sides...More >>>
RC38934
Territorial Gold
PCGS
XF45
1849 $10 Moran & Clark PCGS XF45. (1849) Moran & Clark $10 Copper Die Trail (K-1, high R-7). Moran & Clark is one of those companies that arose during the California...More >>>
RC39315
Territorial Gold
PCGS
AU55
1849 Mormon $2.50 PCGS AU55. The surfaces of this 1849 Mormon Quarter Eagle are problem free and show much luster especially around the periphery of the coin...More >>>
RC38733
Territorial Gold
NGC
VF20
1860 Mormon Half Eagle (1860 Mormon $5) NGC VF20. Despite the circulated grade of this Mormon 1860 Five Dollar Gold Piece, it retains some mint luster...More >>>
RC32057
Territorial Gold
PMG
VF30
Norton Note 50C PMG VF30.More >>>
RC36337
Territorial Gold
PCGS
AU50
1855 $50.00 Wass, Molitor & Co. PCGS AU50. Some mint luster still remains within the devices of this rare 1855 territorial fifty dollar coin. Light abrasions and a few nicks...More >>>
RC33195
Territorial Gold
PCGS
AU58 CAC
1855 Wass Molitor $10 PCGS AU58 CAC. K-6. R-7. Fresh, neat slider! 1850 Wass Molitor $10 "Plugged 5" (K-6, R-7 in that reference) PCGS AU-58 CAC...More >>>
RC37149
Territorial Gold
PCGS
XF40
1852 Wass Mol $10 Large Head, SS Central America, PCGS XF40. Partial mint luster shows on this historic 1852 Wass Molitor $10.00 private mintage coin...More >>>
RC37141
Territorial Gold
PCGS
XF40
Wass Mol $10 (1852 Wass Mol $10) SS Central America, PCGS XF40...More >>>
RC37402
Territorial Gold
PCGS
VF25
1852 $5 Wass, Molitor & Co. large head (K-2, R-6) PCGS VF25 - Struck by a firm of Hungarian immigrants, Wass, Molitor & Co. was one of many companies...More >>>
RC3876001
Territorial Gold
NGC
XF40
1855 Wass Mol $50 (1855 Wass Molitor $50) NGC XF45...More >>>

The first private gold coinage in the 19th century was struck by Templeton Reid, a jeweler and gunsmith, in Milledgeville, Georgia, in July 1830. To be closer to the mines, he moved to Gainesville, where most of his coins were made. Although weights were accurate, Reid's assays were not and his coins were slightly short of claimed value. Accordingly, he was severely attacked in the newspapers and soon lost the public's confidence. He closed his mint before the end of October in 1830; his output had amounted to only about 1,600 coins. Denominations struck were $2.50, $5, and $10.

The enigmatic later issues of Templeton Reid were probably made from California gold. Reid, who never went to California, was then a cotton-gin maker in Columbus, Georgia, where he died in 1851. The coins were in denominations of ten and twenty-five dollars. Struck copies of both exist in various metals. The only example known of the twenty-five-dollar piece was stolen from the cabinet of the U.S. Mint on August 16, 1858. It was never recovere.

A skilled German metallurgist, Christopher Bechtler, assisted by his son August and his nephew, also named Christopher, operated a private mint in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Rutherford County and other areas in the Piedmont region of North Carolina and Georgia were the principal sources of the nation's gold supply from 1790 until the California gold strikes in 1848.

The coins minted by the Bechtlers were of only three denominations, but they covered a wide variety of weights and sizes. Rotated dies are common throughout the series. In 1831, the Bechtlers produced the first gold dollar in the United States. The U.S. Mint struck its first circulating gold dollar in 1849. Bechtler coins were well accepted by the public and circulated widely in the Southeast.

The inscription AUGUST 1.1834 on several varieties of five-dollar pieces has a special significance. The secretary of the Treasury recommended to the Mint director that gold coins of the reduced weight bear the authorization date. This was not done on federal gold coinage, but the elder Christopher Bechtler evidently acted on the recommendation to avoid difficulty with Treasury authorities.



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