April 11, 2019
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Gold Fever and the Bechtler Mint
The discovery of gold in North Carolina in the early 1800s set off America's first gold rush and provided a German immigrant named Christopher Bechtler the opportunity to create a successful family-owned mint that produced nearly two and a quarter million dollars worth of gold coins, including the country's first $1.00 gold coin. Shot on location in Rutherford County and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Including Prospector Lloyd Nanney of Rutherford County describes how Christopher Bechtler manufactured gold coins by hand using machines that he may have made himself.
PBS special video content.
