Christopher Bechtler, 5 DOLLARS CAROLINA, 140 gr. 20 carats. Plain edge. Sharpness of EF-45 cleaned years ago. Soft yellow to greenish gold with coppery orange accents in one or two areas. Devoid of most marks of consequence and a attractive enough to attract bids as such. Struck in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, from gold taken during the country's first "gold rush;" Rutherford County, North Carolina and the surrounding regions (including nearby Georgia) were the source of most of American gold from about 1790 to 1840 or so, until the California gold strikes of 1848-49. Struck from well made dies; both sides show strong legends without weak areas. An elusive issue. And an opportunity for those interested in early private gold issues.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 4,500.
Territorial Gold Coins
