The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-28
Private And Territorial Gold Coinage
 Of The United States
PART The Bechtler Coinage of North Carolina
By OSCAR G. SCHILKE

to a uniform standard or value. Gold from one section being infer for to that of another section and containing more foreign metal, con- sequently much heavier coins as these natural alloys were often al- lowed to remain. We also find a variation of color in Bechtler coins, for the same reason. Gold mined in Georgia was invariably of 8 very bright yellow and of an exceeding ly high standard, which required the addition of alloys. The gold mined in some portions of the North Caro- lima mountain range was usually dull in color, due to its association with more foreign metal.
 Many Varieties
 As stated above there are many types of Bechtler coins, far too many for me to describe in an ar- ticle of this nature. Of the one-dol- lar denomination there are three distinct types of series, consisting of approximately fifteen different die variations. The three distinct types are stamped-27G, 28G, and BOG, indicating, of course. 27, % and 30 grains.
 There are about live varieties of the $250 denomination, but the un- dated specimens and those bearing the word, Assayer, are considered to be the rareSt. It appears that all the known varieties of this particu- lar value were struck by c. Becht- Ter. They are stamped-64G, roc and 75G.
 Of the five-dollar value, there are approximately ten different vari- cities, all of which are rare. Those struck by c. Bechtler are stamped -128G, 134G, 140G and 1906. Coins of the $5 denomination were also struck by A. Bechtler, these being stamped 128G, 134G, and 141G. Like the $2.50 denomination, those bear ing the word, Asayer, and the un- dated variety are considered ex- tremely rare.
 Why So Rare?
 1nasmuch as vast quantities of Bechtler coins were struck, it may seem very strange that these coins are so rare today. With the estab- lishment of mint at Charlotte in 1887, many individuals with quan- titles of Bechtler coins had them minted into U. s. coins. With the establishing of banking system in North Carolina, all Bechtler coin- age passing through these institu- tions found its way to the nearest mint to be eventually recoined. Be- tween 1850 and 1860 thousands of people of North Carolina and Ten nessee emigranted westward; with them went much Of the Bechtler coinage.
 Going back to the Bechtlers, I might add that, true to his trust, the senior Bechtler had established reputation for honesty and fair dealing. His maxim was that honesty was the best policy. It has been said that country people came to him with their rough gold and that all transactions were conducted as sim ply as those at the grist-mill where the miller deducts the toll for the grist he has manufactured. After the death of c. Bechtler in 1842, the son, Augustus, continued minting operations as well as a jewelry and gunsmith business. He remained in the coinage business about one year, however, being succeeded by his cousin, Christopher Bechtler, Jr., Augustus had also established an honorable reputation and continued in the jewelry business until the time of his death in 1846.
 Junior Bechtler Checked
 Christopher Bechtler, Jr., was aslo an experienced metal worker, but it has been stated that he did not possess the conscientious scruples of his uncle and cousin. That he did iiot adhere to the same high stan- dards of his uncle appears evident from a report to the President of the United States, made by R. M Patterson, director of the U. S. Mint, in which he stated that fre- quent assays made of c. Bechtler. Jr. coinage showed these pieces to be below the nominal value marked upon them. This, of course, made it more advantageous for the miner to take his gold to the private coin- CT rather than to the United State mint. Christopher Bechtler moved to Spartanburg in 1850 and so ended Bechtler coinage. I made no men, ton of Charles Bechtler or his ac- tivities as it appears he died short ly after coming to this country.
 The Bechtlers, especially ChriSto- pher. ST., and Augustus, had con- tributed great deal to the eco homie life of North Carolina. There existed at the time an urgent de- mand for gold coinage and the Bechtlers satisfied that demand in a very conscientious manner Tho