1842 A. Bechtler Five Dollar Gold Piece - 134 Grains, 21 Carats

Coin Details

Auction Record

$38,400 AU58+ 11-02-2022 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1842 August Bechtler Five Dollar Gold Piece with 134 grains at 21 carats represents a different weight-fineness combination for the same five-dollar denomination. At 134 grains of 21-carat gold (approximately .875 fine), this variety contains about 117.3 grains of pure gold — essentially identical to the 128-grain, 22-carat variety (PCGS #10043), as the higher grain weight compensates for the lower fineness. This equivalence between different weight-carat combinations was fundamental to the Bechtler minting system. Rather than refining all incoming gold to a single standard fineness, the Bechtlers adjusted grain weight and carat designation together to maintain consistent pure gold content. Gold arriving at the mint in 21-carat purity would be struck into 134-grain coins, while 22-carat gold would be struck at 128 grains, and 20-carat gold at 141 grains — all three containing approximately the same amount of pure gold. This flexible system was well-suited to a private mint processing raw gold directly from local miners, where the natural fineness of the gold varied depending on the specific deposit it came from. August Bechtler's continuation of this system demonstrates that he fully understood and maintained the careful balance of weight, fineness, and face value that had been the foundation of the Bechtler mint's trusted reputation.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. Estimated 25-35 surviving examples. The 134-grain, 21-carat variety is approximately equally available as the 128-grain issue.

Cross References

PCGS #10046; NGC #31050