The unprecedented crossover underscores his personal efforts to combat “grade inflation.”
Struck sometime in late-1834, after the U.S. standard for gold was changed, the Kagin-Transitional half eagle is the earliest $5 struck following Bechtler’s adoption of the 28-grain per dollar standard. It is apparent that Bechtler had not yet settled on a design for the new type. The obverse die, which Bechtler used regularly for every 20-carat half eagle issued through the late 1830s, bears the legend CAROLINA GOLD, as well as the coin’s weight and fineness, and AUGUST 1. 1834., the enaction date for the legislation that changed the composition of U.S. gold coins. The reverse lacks Christopher Bechtler’s first initial and the star typically found before it. This reverse die was barely used; the single example of this variety known today was discovered in 1983 by numismatist Daniel Freeman.
Obverse Description
140.G. AUGUST 1. 1834. 20. CARATS. CAROLINA GOLD
Reverse Description
5 DOLLARS. BECHTLER.AT RUTHERFORD
Catalog Information
View more data, info, and visualizations. Get access to retail and wholesale pricing as well as auction data.
Greysheet News
Dazzling rarities, free educational opportunities, family fun and more await at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
The designs will be featured on a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a half dollar clad coin.




