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Sale 46: The Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Collection

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Territorial and California Fractional Gold Coins

Lots 1482-1491 Lots 1492-1498

Lot 1482

Christopher Bechtler, ONE DOLLAR CAROLINA, 28 gr., N reversed. PCGS graded AU-50. (PCGS Pop. 15 in AU-50, only 53 graded higher, the highest grade being two MS-64 examples, and a total of 84 in all grades, 9/24/11).
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.

Realized: $3,500

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Lot 1483

Christopher Bechtler, ONE DOLLAR CAROLINA, 28 gr., N reversed. PCGS graded (Genuine, Surface Damage), Details of Extremely Fine.
Estimate $750 - 1,000.

Realized: $1,200

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Lot 1484

Christopher Bechtler, ONE DOLLAR CAROLINA, 28 gr., N reversed. PCGS graded (Genuine, Cleaned), Details of Very Fine.
Estimate $750 - 1,000.

Realized: $2,400

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Lot 1485

Christopher Bechtler, ONE DOLLAR N. CAROLINA, 30 gr. PCGS graded AU-55. Christopher Bechtler and his family operated a private mint in North Carolina in the 1830s and 1840s, producing gold coins for the local economy, all minted from locally mined gold. For many years those coins were more widely accepted than federal issues struck in Philadelphia, or at the branch mints in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Dahlonega, Georgia.

All of the Bechtler coins, such as this 30 Grain piece, are highly popular with collectors today. (PCGS Pop. 13 in AU-55, only 18 graded higher, the highest grade being two MS-63 examples, and a total of 74 in all grades, 9/24/11).
Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.

Realized: $6,250

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Lot 1486

Christopher Bechtler, 5 DOLLARS CAROLINA, 140 gr. 20 carats. Plain edge. PCGS graded AU-55. The Bechtler family made its first gold coins--gold dollars, quarter eagles, and half eagles--in 1831, predating the U.S. Mint by some 18 years. In 1834, when the melt value of federal gold coins exceeded its face value, the gold content was adjusted, and gold coins actually began circulating for the first time in many years, rather than being hoarded or melted. Treasury officials advised the Mint to put the date of the authorizing legislation on the federal coins, but they were redesigned instead. Christopher Bechtler chose a different path, putting the date on the family coinage but keeping the familiar appearance that helped ensure their trusted status and circulation in the local economy.

There are several variants of the 1834-37 five dollars, including reeded edge and plain edge varieties. This piece is also in spectacular condition. The still-lustrous greenish-gold surfaces are remarkably clean. (PCGS Pop. 3 in AU-55, only 8 graded higher, the highest grade being a single MS-62 example, and a total of 27 in all grades, 9/24/11).
Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.

Realized: $15,000

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Lot 1487

Christopher Bechtler, 5 DOLLARS CAROLINA, 140 gr. 20 carats. Plain edge. PCGS graded EF-45. (PCGS Pop. 5 in EF-45, only 17 graded higher, the highest grade being a single MS-62 example, and a total of 27 in all grades, 9/24/11).
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000.

Realized: $7,500

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Lot 1488

Christopher Bechtler, 5 DOLLARS CAROLINA, 134 gr. 21 carats, with star. PCGS graded (Genuine, Surfaces Tooled), Details of Extremely Fine. It appears as if a small bit of tooling occurred on the obverse at top left.
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.

Realized: $5,500

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Lot 1489

August Bechtler, 1 DOLLAR CAROLINA, 27 gr. 21 carats. PCGS graded AU-58, a very rare coin in this high grade. A lovely coin with reddish copper patina. (PCGS Pop. 39 in AU-58, only 28 graded higher, the highest grade being five MS-63 examples, and a total of 335 in all grades, 9/24/11).
Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.

Realized: $4,500

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Lot 1490

August Bechtler, 1 DOLLAR CAROLINA, 27 gr. 21 carats. About Uncirculated. Attractive copperish red toning. A lovely example.
Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.

Realized: $4,000

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Lot 1491

August Bechtler, 1 DOLLAR CAROLINA, 27 gr. 21 carats. PCGS graded (Genuine, Surface Damage), Details of Very Fine.
Estimate $750 - 1,000.

Realized: $1,500

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Lots 1482-1491 Lots 1492-1498

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