In 2007, the maverick Petrolia resident Ken Young, a climate scientist and passionate marathon runner, took a bold step by investing a significant portion of his personal savings to establish the Petol.

He produced coins made of pure silver, aiming to enhance self-sufficiency in the Mattole valley. He produced six coins in 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20, as well as a brass half-Petol.