The Coin Toss that named a City: This Trivia article transcends time taking us from the 21st Century back to the pioneer days of the 19th Century, specifically the year of our Lord, 1835. Two men emerged as the co- owners of a 640 acre tract of land referred to as "The Clearing" in Oregon which was located on the banks of the Wilamette River approximately halfway between Fort Vancouver, Washington and Oregon City,Oregon. William Overton, from Boston, Massachusetts and Francis Pettygrove from Portland, Maine wanted to be the one to name the new city emerging from the "Clearing." Pettygrove and Overton each wished to name the new city after his respective home town. The two finally struck a bargain. They would allow Lady Luck to decide who would name the new city. The whole thing would be decided by a coin toss. To make it truly a fair undertaking, the outcome would be based on two out of three tosses. Now for the Numismatic connection: An 1835 Large Cent was selected as the coin to be used in the contest. Here's a photo of an 1835 Large Cent courtesy of Coin Facts: http://www.coinfacts.com/large_cent...835_large_cents/1835_large_cent_varieties.htm Now for the rest of the story: Pettygrove won and named the new city Portland. Pettygrove kept the coin as a "good luck" piece the rest of his life and the coin was inherited by his son who carried it as a family heirloom. The coin now resides in the headquarters of the Oregon Historical Society located in Portland and is on display as the Portland Penny. As we come back to the 21st Century, let your mind ponder the following: If "Lady Luck" had favored Overton, that Large Cent exhibit would read Boston Penny. Hope you enjoyed this trivia article, Clinker
