Two immigrants, Francis Pettygrove from Portland, Maine and Asa Lovejoy from Boston, Massachusetts both wanted to name the fledgling site after their respective home towns.

The coin toss was decided in 1845 with two out of three tosses which Pettygrove won. Portland was incorporated in 1849.

The coin, minted in 1835, is now on display in the lobby of the headquarters of the Oregon Historical Society (OHS) in Portland Oregon.(It was also exhibited at the ANA NMS Show at the Convention Center during Portland March 13-15, 2009 thanks to the OHS.)