1908 C. Bechtler Proof Five Dollar Gold Piece - Chapman Restrike

Coin Details

Auction Record

$40,825 PR62 04-17-2008 David Lawrence RC

Description

The 1908 Christopher Bechtler Proof Five Dollar Gold Piece, Chapman Restrike, is the companion to the August Bechtler restrike (PCGS #10054), both struck by Philadelphia dealer Henry Chapman from original Bechtler dies around 1908. This restrike uses Christopher Bechtler's dies, bearing "C. BECHTLER" on the reverse, distinguishing it from the August Bechtler version. The proof quality of the striking — with brilliant mirror fields and sharp, fully rendered design details — represents the finest possible impression these historic dies could produce. The Christopher Bechtler restrike is particularly significant because it provides a proof-quality example of dies created by the founder of the Bechtler mint himself. Christopher Bechtler's hand-engraved dies, produced in his Rutherfordton workshop during the 1830s and 1840s, survived for over sixty years before Chapman put them back into service. The proof striking reveals every detail of Christopher's die work in extraordinary clarity, showing the engraving skill of a master goldsmith working in the challenging medium of steel die sinking. Chapman's restrikes from both sets of Bechtler dies — Christopher's and August's — are among the most prized issues in territorial gold numismatics. They bridge the gap between the original private mint coinage of the antebellum gold region and the numismatic collector market of the early twentieth century, providing proof impressions of dies that were originally intended only for circulating coinage. Both the August and Christopher restrikes are essential for any comprehensive Bechtler collection.

Rarity Notes

Very rare. Only a handful of specimens known, struck by Henry Chapman circa 1908 from original Christopher Bechtler dies. The combined image shows both obverse and reverse in proof quality.

Cross References

PCGS #10124; NGC #31057; NGC #31057 (duplicate, deleted)