Bechtler's mint was prolific enough to earn him a place in the collecting world, I guess -- and it wasn't illegal at the time. (I didn't know the detailed timing of that law until you made me go and look it up!)
Here goes some of them. The 1849-D gold dollar is fairly common in MS-62. The look is often similar to this. Some of them were saved because they were "the first of their kind. The 1850-D is really a tough coin. Many of them, like this one are flatly struck. Do I wish I had a better one? Yes, but that takes a lot of hunting a very strong checkbook. The 1851-D is a tough date, but I should have waited on this one. The piece is has original, never cleaned surfaces, but too many marks. This 1852-D is very pleasant. I wish that all of my gold dollars looked this nice. The first Dahlonega coin I have ever saw was ann 1853-D gold dollar. I was 11 years old. I could not get over how small it was. This IS NOT that coin, but I remember the first one I saw quite well. The 1854-D has long been touted as a "major rarity." Walter Breen claimed that there were less than 20. There are a good deal more than that perhaps as many as 100. Still that's scarce. This has no problems, but does have some wear. This is my type coin for the Type III gold dollar from the Dahlonega Mint. This is a really nice coin. I'd love to own an 1861-D some day, but the price increases are fast leaving me in the dust. The last one I saw was priced at $65,000 which I thought was too much for the grade. It would be a super bargain today.
Here are a few more Dahlonega gold pieces. This is the only Classic Head $2.50 coin. The people who deposited gold to be made into coins preferred the $5 coins. That's why the half eagles are more common. The Dahlonega Mint had trouble calibrating the press for the $2.50 coins. The Charlotte Mint had more trouble. This 1843-D quarter eagle was one of my first "nice" Dahlonega Mint coins. The dealer called it "cleaned." The fact was it had only been dipped. This 1838-D Classic Head $5 gold is one of two pieces PCGS has graded MS-63. Pogue had the other one. My photography makes the marks look bigger than they are. The 1839-D half eagle is a one year type with mint mark on the obverse. This 1853-D $5 probably has California gold in it. When the word of California gold strike reach Dahlonega, a number of the miners headed west. Some of them came back home with their California gold and deposited at the Dahlonega Mint for coinage. This is one of the most common Dahlonega gold coins. This 1860-D is quite nice. If only it were an 1861-D! But then I wouldn't own it. One year for glory!
Looks like the number of 1860 dollars minted wasn't added into the total $ amount (if I did the math correctly). But the collection in the capital style holder is just stunning so let's give them a pass. And the presentation/writeup here is first rate so well worth being a Feature and indeed thanks for sharing! What fun.
Good Lawd-a-mercy, man! I’d have been impressed enough by any D-mint Classic Head gold. But in Mint State… wow. Not something I’ll ever own, that’s for sure!
Each line item for the $5 pieces is divisible by 5, but the total is not. Curious, but does it get partial credit? Tom Petty Radio on Sirius had a guest DJ from Dahlonega last week. I realized I was pronouncing it all wrong. Great thread, Dahlonega is a neat little corner of American coinage.
I learned how to pronounce that one thanks to Bill Kurtis in an episode of Cold Case Files. Kinda sounds like “why name me”.
Or as a friend of mine says "Point My Weenie" Go to the quotes and jokes thread for a Port Hueneme joke.
Great short story on Dahlonega, I have zero Dahlonega gold coins! I'd like to own one at some point but for right now, as far as Dahlonega gold coins go, I'm poverty stricken!
Very interesting and fun thread. Did the Confederacy ever strike any coins there (or anywhere)? Thanks for the nice read.
I think they did in Dahlonega, but my memory is not clear. I'm more sure that they did in New Orleans. I might have time later to read up on that.