1834 C. Bechtler Five Dollar Gold Piece - 140 Grains, 20 Carats, Rutherf.

Coin Details

Auction Record

$22,325 AU53 03-09-2017 Kagin's

Description

The 1834 Christopher Bechtler Five Dollar Gold Piece with 140 grains, 20 carats, and "RUTHERF:" inscription is one of the Rutherford County varieties that identify the geographic origin of both the mint and its gold. The abbreviated "RUTHERF:" (with colon) refers to Rutherford County, North Carolina, where Christopher Bechtler's mint was located in the county seat of Rutherfordton. This abbreviation distinguishes the variety from those using the full "RUTHERFORD" spelling or other abbreviation styles. The "RUTHERF:" varieties are among the most historically evocative in the Bechtler series, as they directly connect the coin to its place of origin. Rutherford County was at the heart of America's first major gold-producing region, where the Reed Gold Mine had produced the first documented gold find in the United States in 1799, and subsequent discoveries had made North Carolina the nation's leading gold producer by the 1830s. This variety combines the 140-grain weight standard with 20-carat fineness and the abbreviated Rutherford County attribution. The colon after "RUTHERF" distinguishes it from the full "RUTHERFORD" variety (PCGS #10091), reflecting different die engraving choices. Both varieties carry the same basic information — the gold's weight, purity, and geographic origin — but the specific inscription style creates distinct collectible varieties.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. Estimated 25-40 surviving examples. The "RUTHERF:" abbreviation with colon is one of several Rutherford County inscription variants.

Cross References

PCGS #10095; NGC #31045