(1842-52) G$1 A.Bechtler 27 GR, 21C, PE, K-24

Coin / United States of America / 1842 / Rutherford County, North Carolina / A. Bechtler / G$1

Augustus Bechtler’s plain edge, 21 carat, 27-grain gold dollar is the most commonly encountered privately minted U.S. gold coin, with approximately 300 examples extant. As such, it is the most popularly collected Bechtler type coin, and can be obtained without too much effort in grades ranging from XF-MS62. Attractively toned or prooflike examples bring a premium. Some prooflike, relatively early die state examples are found with dished planchets, suggesting that Augustus Bechtler may have had problems with his press’s ejection mechanism even after abandoning the reeded collar used on his earliest dollars. The finest Augustus Bechtler, Plain Edge Dollar is currently graded MS64.