© rjadams55
© rjadams55
5 Cents - W. L. Co.; Watsonville, Santa Cruz County; Pajaro, Monterey County, California ND
| Brass | 5.0 g | 21 mm |
| Location | United States |
|---|---|
| Type | Trade tokens › Business tokens |
| Value | 5 Cents 0.05 USD = EUR 0.047 |
| Currency | Dollar (1785-date) |
| Composition | Brass |
| Weight | 5.0 g |
| Diameter | 21 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Updated | 2024-11-14 |
| Numista | N#341988 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Single star on each side of lettering.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
GOOD FOR
V
IN TRADE
Edge
Plain
Comment
Chinese-American trade token attributed to Wah Lung & Co.There is some disagreement regarding the most appropriate provenance listing for this token. Based on the notes in the Token Catalog and according to the 1913 International Chinese Business Directory, W. L. & Co. sold general merchandise. According to the 1912 Santa Cruz Directory, the address was 47 Chinatown which today is Brooklyn St. in the community of Pajaro, however, according to the 1918-19 Santa Cruz County Classified Business Directory, Wah Lung Co.'s address was listed as Beach Road in Watsonville.
Volume 12, Number 8, pg. 12 (1917) of Western Canner and Packer is dedicated to buisnesses focusing on dried fruits and includes this listing: "Wah Lung Company - Watsonville.- An evaporating plant is being built for the Wah Lung Company on West Third Street, Watsonville. It will be one of the most modern in the Pajaro Valley."
In 1888, the Chinese community of Watsonville, Santa Cruz County, was relocated from town and moved across the Pajaro River into the community of Pajaro, Monterey County. However, they often continued to be listed in Watsonville directories.
