1842 C. Bechtler Five Dollar Gold Piece - 134 Grains, No Star

Coin Details

Auction Record

$73,438 AU53 03-09-2017 Kagin's

Description

The 1842 Christopher Bechtler Five Dollar Gold Piece with 134 grains and no star is a late-period Christopher Bechtler issue, struck near the end of his minting career. Christopher Bechtler died in 1842, making coins bearing this date among his final products. The "No Star" designation distinguishes this variety from the 1837 issue with star (PCGS #10097), which shares the same 134-grain weight standard but includes a decorative star that this variety lacks. The 1842 date on Bechtler coinage is significant because it represents the transitional period when Christopher Bechtler's health was declining and his nephew August was beginning to take over the mint's operations. Coins struck during this period may represent the final dies Christopher personally engraved, though the exact chronology of the transition from Christopher to August's management is not precisely documented in surviving records. The absence of the star gives this variety a cleaner, more austere reverse design compared to the starred version. Combined with the 134-grain weight and the lack of a carat designation, the coin presents minimal inscription information — the grain weight, denomination, and Bechtler's name. This simplicity contrasts with the more detailed inscriptions found on many of the 1834 and 1837 varieties, and may reflect a streamlining of die design in the later years of the mint's operation under Christopher Bechtler.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Estimated 15-25 surviving examples. Late Christopher Bechtler issue from the year of his death, making provenance and attribution historically significant.

Cross References

PCGS #10100; NGC #31041