Very rare. Second of Exchange. Handwritten Placerville above preprinted San Francisco dateline. No. 1221, issued to Nancy Verplast on June 12, 1854. Signed Adams & Co. Also endorsed by the agent (illegible). Black border and print on blue paper. Three vignettes: placer mining scene (top center), allegorical women (left side), and California state seal (bottom center). 4 x 8" Folds, some staining/discoloration. Lot includes some copies of historical illustrations for collection enhancement (as do many of the lots from this Gold Rush collection). Placerville was founded in 1848 soon after the nearby discovery of gold at Coloma. It was first known as Dry Diggings. In 1849, five immigrants attempted to rob a Mexican gambler. Three of them were wanted men and were not given any trial. Instead they were hanged on an oak tree on Main Street by a mob. The name "Hangtown" stuck after that event. The name was changed in 1854 when the City of Placerville was incorporated. At that time, Placerville was the third largest town in California.Date: 1854Country (if not USA): State: CaliforniaCity: PlacervilleProvenance: