(1842-50) G$1 A. Bechtler 27 Grains, 21 Carat PE AU50 Certification #19857934, PCGS #10040

Ron Guth

Kagin 24 is a $1 gold coin, produced by Augustus Bechtler, weighed 27 grains and contained gold of 21 Carat gold purity (87.5% pure).  The design is simple but efficient, consisting solely of letters and numerals.  This variety is fairly common in general but, like most Bechtler gold colns, it is very rare in Mint State.  Many of the examples seen today have been stripped of their original surfaces, so those with crusty, reddish-gold color should be worth a premium.

It appears that the dies for this coin were used over an extended period of time.  Early states show strong details and denticles on both sides.  In later states, the denticles fade (ground off?), the dies become heavily rusted, the obverse (A. Bechtler side) becomes cracked, and the reverse details begin to disappear (see the 1 of 21C for a great example).