Very little is known about the Pelican Co. Pattern denominations exist for the values $1, $2.50 and $10, leading to the natural speculation that perhaps a $5 was also made in pattern form but has not been located to date. All known coins are pattern coins, as nothing was ever produced in gold. We do have documentation of a letter sheet where the Pelican Company offers their services to miners and merchants in Upper California. It reads:

UPPER CALIFORNIA
The PELICAN CO. offers its services to the Miners and Merchants of Upper California, for the Assaying — Casting into Ingots of convenient size for exportation or traffice, and stamping gold pieces of ten, five and two-and-a-half dollars value, (of which the above vignettes are fac-similies of the obverse and reverse sides.) on liberal terms.

The Co. will also purchase, at the current value, Gold Dust or Bullion.

For the capability of the Assayer, the Co. begs attention to the following certificates, the originals of which may be seen:

Branch Mint U.S.

New Orleans, 28 March, 1849.

It affords me great pleasure to recommend my friend, Dr. Pearson, as a gentleman of high moral and intellectual standing. The Doctor has spent some time in the Assay Department of this Mint, and has fully satisfied me that he is competent to assay gold. I can further state that he is a practical man of great resources.
WM. P. HORT, M.D., Assayer and Assist. Superintendant

University of Louisiana.

Medical Department — New Orleans, March 26, 1849.

This may certify, that the bearer, Doct. Pearson, is well known to me as a skillful and accomplished Assayer of Gold. He is, moreover, a man of means and good reputation.
J. L. RIDDELL, Professor Chemistry

I take pleasure in bearing testimony as to the unexceptional character and skill of the bearer, Doct. Pearson. His frequent visits to the Mint, have enabled me to know that he possesses unusual talents for almost any mechanical business.
JOHN BROOKS, Coiner U.S. Branch Mint, New Orleans

The Co. Has permission to refer to...