1837 C. Bechtler Five Dollar Gold Piece - 128 Grains, 22 Carats, Rutherf.

Coin Details

Auction Record

$40,950 MS62 06-03-2013 Bonham's

Description

The 1837 Christopher Bechtler Five Dollar Gold Piece with 128 grains, 22 carats, and "RUTHERF:" inscription (abbreviated with colon) is the third variety in the 128-grain Georgia Gold series. This variety uses the same "RUTHERF:" abbreviation found on some of the 140-grain five-dollar issues from 1834, creating a consistent naming convention across different weight standards. The colon after "RUTHERF" serves as a punctuation mark indicating abbreviation. The three 128-grain, 22-carat varieties — colon (PCGS #10106), no colon (PCGS #10103), and this "RUTHERF:" variety (PCGS #10109) — illustrate the range of die-engraving variations that characterize Bechtler's private mint output. While the dies for federal coinage were produced using standardized hubs that ensured consistency, each Bechtler die was an individual work of hand engraving, making every die pairing unique. All three varieties share the "GEORGIA GOLD" obverse inscription, indicating gold sourced from Georgia mines. By the late 1830s, the Bechtler mint had established itself as the primary private coinmaker serving the entire southern Appalachian gold region, from the North Carolina Piedmont through northern Georgia. The 128-grain, 22-carat standard would continue to be used for five-dollar pieces through the remainder of the Bechtler mint's operation.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. Estimated 25-35 surviving examples. The "RUTHERF:" abbreviation links this to the earlier 1834 varieties using the same convention.

Cross References

PCGS #10109; NGC #31044