SELECTIONS FROM HOLABIRD AUGUST 2021 SALES

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V24 2021 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 24, Number 31, August 1, 2021, Article 24

Here are some lots that caught my eye this week in the upcoming Holabird sales. -Editor

PCGS AU 55; K-4 N Reversed. Obv.: Bechtler / 28 G / ; Rev.: Carolina / Dollar / O N E (N reversed). Christoph Bechtler was born in 1782 in Germany. At the age of fifteen, he was apprenticed to a gold and silver metallurgist and gunsmith. In 1829, he emigrated to the United States and landed in New York, moved to Philadelphia, applied for citizenship, and soon thereafter opened a jewelry and clock repair business. In 1830 the Bechtlers moved to Rutherford County, North Carolina and purchased a tract of land 3 1/2 miles north of Rutherfordton. It is suspected that they had heard of the recent gold strikes in the area. In July, 1830, Bechtler announced in the North Carolina Spectator and Western Advertiser, a regional newspaper, that he had opened a jewelry and watch clock repair business in Rutherfordton.

In 1831, the local miners and merchants petitioned Congress to establish a branch mint in the gold producing region, but the petition was ignored. Shortly thereafter, several miners approached Bechtler and convinced him to assay their gold and convert it into coins. Bechtler advertised in the North Carolina Spectator and Western Advertiser that he was ready to convert raw gold into coins at his home. Bechtler made his own dies, planchets, presses and other equipment. Late in 1831, the Bechtlers produced the first gold dollars struck in the United States. The Bechtlers produced three denominations; $1, $2.50, and $5, and the coins were struck in three finenesses; 20 carats, 21 carats, and 22 carats. The coins were of honest weight and any variation in fineness was due solely to the limited technology at the time.

After the opening of the Charlotte and Dahlonega Mints in 1838, Bechtler’s production began to decline. In 1840, Bechtler filed a report with the United States Treasury Department showing that he had coined $2,241, 840 from 1831 to February, 1840. The Bechtlers were the most successful, prolific and long lasting of all the pioneer and territorial minters. The coins were well accepted across the Southeast and some Confederate contracts specified payment in Bechtler gold.

Private southern gold coinage made history. I've always had a soft spot for these coins even though I've never collected them. -Editor

To read the complete lot description, see:
C. Bechtler Dollar K-4 (N reversed) [135224] (https://holabirdamericana.liveauctiongroup.com/C-Bechtler-Dollar-K-4-N-reversed-135224_i42191849?t=HEBSS12)

This 5-1/4-inch galvano-negative was designed by Medallic Art Company for an award medal given by the The Daughters of the Confederacy WWII. The final struck piece was a 1-3/8-inch Maltese cross-shaped item bearing the Latin words FORTIS, CREANTUR, FORTIBUS, 1861-1865 (dates of the American Civil War) and 1941-1945 (dates of WWII). The metal piece would have been suspended from a colored ribbon with a pinback at the top. Would have been cataloged as MACo-1946-031.

See other galvano items in this auction for details on Medallic Art Company and how this was made. It is extremely rare for items like this to appear on the market, and it probably surfaced after the 2016 bankruptcy of Northwest Territorial Mint which had purchased Medallic Art Company in 2009. Approx 6 inches in diameter and weighs about 12 ounces. The back of the galvano is still coated with soft wax, and the copper electrode wire is still attached.

Great exhibit-worthy piece of numismatic history. -Editor

Doctor Tait McKenzie created this 1936 medal "Rejoice Oh Young Man in Thy Youth." With original document from the Society of Medalists. 73 mm, mintage of 1001 in bronze.

A timely topic for the Olympics. -Editor

Lot of four U.S. medals: 1) medallic Art ANA Dedication, Colorado Springs / 1967 / Bronze / 38 mm; 2) U.S. Mint / 1984 / Vietnam Veterans National Medal / Bronze / 76 mm / in box with plastic stand; 3) U. S. The Medal Arts Co. / 1964 / Longacre-Morgan medal, used by Toivo Johnson / Copper / 19 grams / 75 mm in box with certificate; 4) USA 1962 / Seattle World's Fair - Space Age official medal / in original card.

Bob Evans and I were commiserating on the foibles of auto-correction. His problem is the word "steamship", which he uses frequently in discussion of the SS Central America. Auto-correct keeps changing it to "starship".

So here's "The World's First United States Space Age Coin", whatever that means. Neat ephemera. -Editor

To read the complete lot description, see:
U. S. Medal Group [138824] (https://holabirdamericana.liveauctiongroup.com/U-S-Medal-Group-138824_i42191945)

One Dollar currency note issued by Eastman's College Bank of Poughkeepsie, New York for use in their business school. Three beautiful vignettes, lithographer Hatch & Co., 29 Williams Street New York. 7 x 3 inches. The Eastman Business College existed from 1859-1931, and produced many notable alumni, including S.S. Kresge of the drug store chain that became K Mart.

Check out the paper money offerings in the sale - there are many group lots for collectors and dealers, plus a great many stock certificates for the scripophilists. -Editor

To read the complete lot description, see:
Eastman's College Bank Currency [136376] (https://holabirdamericana.liveauctiongroup.com/Eastman-s-College-Bank-Currency-136376_i42191981?t=HEBSS12)

"New Varieties of Gold and Silver Coins, Counterfeit Coins, and Bullion; with Mint Values" by William E. DuBois. Hardcover, George P. Putnam, New York, 1852;103 pages plus appendix. Illustrated.

A classic early title in American numismatic literature. -Editor

To read the complete lot description, see:
"Gold and Silver Coins" by William E. DuBois (https://holabirdamericana.liveauctiongroup.com/Gold-and-Silver-Coins-by-William-E-DuBois-138952_i42192008)

hardcover, 5x8, 92pp, work describing the coin and medal collection of the US mint. This is a priceless original record of what was present during the centennial year.

Another nice item for the bibliophile. -Editor