2 1/2 Dollars - C. Bechtler

Christopher Bechtler, a German immigrant jeweler operating out of Rutherfordton, North Carolina, established his private mint in 1831 to serve the gold rush communities of the Carolina Piedmont — years before a federal branch mint opened at Charlotte in 1838. His operation was entirely legal under laws that did not yet prohibit private coinage, and local miners preferred his coins to the inconvenience of hauling raw gold to Philadelphia.

The 2½-dollar denomination was unusual; Bechtler introduced it without federal authorization for that specific value, essentially inventing a denomination. Congressional scrutiny followed, though the mint continued operating under his son Augustus after Christopher's death.