Petol: The Silver Currency of Cannabis Country

These are a fascinating example of rare exonumia straight out of Humboldt County in the famed Emerald Triangle in Northern California.

These are made for one year only during the Black market cannabis boom in rural Petrolia and traded like currency in many places including the local farmers market and between individuals making peer to peer sales of other "produce"

The coins are quite stunning. Their thoughtful design depicts three elements of sustainable food production: ranching, gardening and gathering. These are BU proof-like DCAM.

The maker, Ken Young, paid to have only 2000 of these minted by Northwest Territorial Mint in his vision of creating a self-reliant community built on agriculture, craftsmanship, transportation,renewable energy, and local culture.

Ken Young dies in 2018. His dream of a widely circulating silver currency never grew to the scale he imagined. Yet the Petol remains a tangible artifact of an unusual crossing of American numismatics, alternative economics, environmentalism, and the culture of Northern California's Emerald Triangle.

What began as one mans attempt to create real money for his community has become something else: a little known chapter in modern numismatic history.

Today, the Petol tells his story.

Check comps and Google "Ken Young Petols" to read more.