Another "walked into our little store" thread. Why am I surprised, we see these all the time, right?
keets
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So I'm 30 days away from retirement and things like this happening are almost enough to get me to stay a little longer, but not quite!!! I'll work part time but will miss seeing what walks in when I'm not around 24/7.
I am no expert, to be honest I had never seen one of these before and didn't even know they existed. Guys like MrEureka and other seasoned dealers will be able to provide some good information past my description. The easy way is to look to page 392 in the 2018 RedBook. It was issued by the Bechtler family in Rutherford, North Carolina sometime around 1850. The coin itself has a wavy bend, although it sits flat.
The back-story is that it was held in the collection of an Old Timer from the area who died around 20 years ago. His Widow recently passed and the Daughter was named as Executrix of the estate. The Bechtler Dollar was in a local bank safe deposit box along with some other notable pieces. Two stuck out but I was busy and didn't see everything. Those were an 1834 No Motto Quarter Eagle and a 1907 $20 High relief that was about a VF ex-jewelry.
Please, if you can expound on the Bechtler pc. it would be nice.
Al H.
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I can't add to the history but sure can understand the excitement of "...just walked into the store" type of material.
That's the main reason I'd love to have my own shop someday! I'd lose money like crazy but I'd have a heck of an eclectic collection.
Cool piece!
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The Bechtlers were the first to mint dollar gold coins. The reversed "n" is one of the more common varieties and is believed to have been struck between 1837 and 1842. You can see where there was an attempt to make a correction but apparently it was decided in the end to not be worth the time. Design was not too important to the Bechtlers. These were simply assay coins to them and those who used them.
Here's mine:
Joseph J. Singleton - First Superintendent of the U.S. Branch Mint in Dahlonega Georgia
Findley Ridge Collection
About Findley Ridge
Here are some links. As a newer Carolina resident, I had to have an example and opted for the K4 piece as shown in the OP and JJ Singleton's examples.
(http://blueridgeheritagetrail.com/explore-a-trail-of-heritage-treasures/bechtler-mint/"")
(http://goldfever.unctv.org/history/"")
I've been to the Reed mine east of Charlotte (about an hour from my home) and plan to go to Rutherfordton this winter.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
I forgot to mention that these pieces are pricey if not messed with. They are listed in the PCGS price guide and JJ Singleton's piece is listed at $4,400. You have the same variety - K4.
So it would be worth looking at closely - many were cleaned and otherwise abused. Even "genuine" coins command decent prices.
Don't see those much "up north".
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
That's pretty exiting.
What a cool thing to walk in and thanks for taking the time to post a pic.
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
Red book material, would never see one out west in the wild.
bob:)
Very neat!
If I could handle items like that once in a while, I'd quite my day job to 'retire' and work at a coin shop.
Sweet !!!
Real nice !!
That's a cool piece I'd never expect to see "in the wild". And congrats on your upcoming retirement!
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
@keets
You must stick around a little longer, I love your** "walked into our little store" threads**
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nice walk in.
BHNC #203
Cool. Always nice to see a Bechtler that's been locked away for a while.
Very neat specimen... not common at all. I really enjoy these 'walk in' and 'why coin dealers drink' threads. Cheers, RickO
nice find .. why retire ?
a little humorous story
first, my boss is OK and back at the store, but there's a funny little story he "experienced" with this coin.
the day he purchased the collection he had dinner plans with a few other people. they all met up at a local watering hole and after eating they were seated at the bar when........................he had a mild heart attack which caused him to lurch forward and smack his chin on the bar. at that point his pacemaker went off and he fell backwards, spinning to the floor. he was out cold for a moment and then regained consciousness. the bar phoned 911 and his friends made him comfortable as they waited.
one of the guys who works with us asked Rich if he had anything in his pockets that he wanted him to hold onto. he reached into his pocket, handed him the Bechtler and a High Relief Saint and said "Get these back to the store." two days later he came back to us OK.
he can't eat any "real food" anymore and needs a chauffer for two weeks before the Dr. releases him to drive.
Glad he is somewhat ok
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Bad transactions with : nobody to date
It's funny how they put tape over the staples.
@basetsb_coins on Instagram
Cool Thread, Way Cool Coin and glad your boss is ok...it certainly isn't cool that he is no longer allowed "real food," but at least he is alive to watch other folks eat it
Not certain, but I am guessing that he has an implanted defibrillator, which detected an arrhythmia and went off, like a punch in the chest... knocking him off the stool.. technology performing as advertised.. perhaps saving his life. glad he is ok. Glad the coins are safe. Me, I always go out drinking with a Pine tree shilling and 1794 dollar in my pocket.
+10 points for using "Executrix"
The 2nd link posted by Cameonut is related to a 28 minute long documentary called "Gold Fever and the Bechtler Mint".
It is viewable free on the PBS link below. Saw it a couple of years ago and it was well done as I recall.
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pbs.org/video/2280029473/
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Kagin's also auctioned an extensive Bechtler collection in March that has much info in the descriptions:
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auctions.kagins.com/Kagin-s-March-2017-ANA-National-Money-Show-Auction_as46305_p7
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"To Be Esteemed Be Useful" - 1792 Birch Cent --- "I personally think we developed language because of our deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin