1837-42 C. Bechtler Quarter Eagle (1837-42 C.BECHTLE $2.5)  67G, 21C, R-5 NGC MS61 CAC. This rare, dateless, Mint State 1837-42 C. Bechtler Quarter Eagle has gorgeous color and is identified by its As that are missing the crossbars. Its surfaces are a mixture of greenish gold and yellow-gold color with some remaining mint luster on the devices. The strike of this 1837-42 C. Bechtler Quarter Eagle is above average with just slight weakness in T in BECHTLER on the obverse and the C of CARATS and the C of CAROLINA on the reverse. No wear is present on the coin, as expected for a Mint State piece. The MS 61 is confirmed by CAC, which indicates that the coin is of premium quality and fully merits the grade it was assigned.

This 1837-42 C. Bechtler Quarter Eagle coin has no devices or design motifs other than inscriptions, denomination, fineness, and weight. The obverse has the name BECHTLER and RUTHERF for Rutherford County. The denomination is central, written as 250. The reverse shows the weight in grains and the fineness in carats. In is inscribed CAROLINA GOLD 21 CARATS 67 Grains.

The Bechtler family lived in Rutherford County, North Carolina from 1831 to 1852. Christopher Bechtler with his sons Augustus and Charles, and a nephew also named Christopher, moved from Philadelphia to North Carolina in 1830. They bought a piece of land about three miles north of Rutherfordton, and opened up a watch making and jewelry business. At this time there was a very tight money supply and a coinage shortage. When gold was discovered in North Carolina, miners asked Bechtler to assay and stamp their gold. Since there were no laws prohibiting private coinage and shipment to Philadelphia was unsafe, Christopher decided to accommodate them and set up a private assay and coining business. Evidently he was efficient and provided good service because his business lasted for nearly twenty years.

Bechtler made everything himself. He made his own dies, punches, presses, and everything else needed to make coinage. His coins weighed what they were supposed to and were up to standard in fineness. Between 1831 and 1846, he coined over two million dollars in quarter and half eagles. Naturally there were contemporary counterfeits made from false dies using base metals. Authentication of all coins is highly recommended. (All USRCI coins are certified by one of the major grading services.)

On some of the half eagles the date AUGUST 1, 1834 is seen. The original Mint Act of 1834 that reduced the weight of circulating coins, called for the date to be added to the new coins. They changed their minds in favor of a design change omitting the motto; however, Bechtler had made his dies based on the news of the original Act.

When the Mints at Charlotte and Dahlonega opened, the Bechtler coin-making business diminished. In 1840 Christopher gave the business to his son, Augustus. Augustus moved to town and minted large quantities of gold dollars until he died in 1846. Christopher Jr. inherited the business from Augustus. However, Christopher was an alcoholic. People claimed that some of his coins were debased. He stopped making coins in 1850, just after the U.S. Mints began making coins in quantity. From then on, bullion went to the federal Mints for coinage.

This 1837-42 C. Bechtler Quarter Eagle is tied for third finest at NGC and PCGS. It has an R5 rarity rating which means that 31 to 75 piece are known to exist in all conditions today. In its population report, NGC shows 2 1837-42 C. Bechtler Quarter Eagle in MS61 with 6 better. PCGS has 0 1837-42 C. Bechtler Quarter Eagle in MS61 with 2 better. CAC does not list population numbers for Pioneer and Territorial coins.