Bay

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I don't own a Bay Bridge commemorative half dollar yet find the story of the historic coin fascinating. Here is a write-up along with a depiction of this neat commemorative:

THE SAN FRANCISCO-OAKLAND BAY BRIDGE HALF-DOLLAR
In commemoration of the opening of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in November 1936, Congress authorized the issue of a souvenir half-dollar. The Act authorizing this issue follows: [Public—No. 820—74thCongress] An Act To authorize the coinage of 50-cent pieces in celebration of the opening of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That in celebration of the opening of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge there shall be coined at a mint of the United States to be designated by the Director of the Mint not to exceed two hundred thousand silver 50-cent pieces of standard size, weight, and composition, and of a special appropriate single design to be fixed by the Director of the Mint, with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, but the United States shall not be subject to the expense of making the necessary dies and other preparations for this coinage. Sec.2. (Same as Cleveland issue, Section 2, but upon the request of the San Francisco Clearing House Association, page 140.) Sec. 3. (Same as Maryland issue, Section 4, page 99.) Approved, June 26, 1936.

The designs for this issue were prepared by Jacques Schnier, a young artist of San Francisco. The models were reduced by the Medallic Art Company of New York.

Although an issue of 200,000 half-dollars was authorized, only 100,055 were struck at the San Francisco Mint in November 1936. These were distributed by the San Francisco Clearing House Association at one dollar and fifty cents each. In view of the wide interest in coinage figures at this time and realizing the limited speculative possibilities in so large an issue, the coins were not readily sold, and 28,631 pieces were returned to the Mint for remelting in 1937.

The obverse shows the California grizzly bear, which has appeared upon the majority of Californian issues; a view of the bridge occupies the reverse. The bear on the obverse was severely criticized by the collectors, as they felt that the obverse should portray an emblem symbolic of Liberty, as stated in the law, whereas the bear depicted, Monarch II, had spent its life of twenty-six years in a cage, as a public exhibit.

110. Obv. California grizzly bear (Monarch II), standing, facing. Around upper circumference: united • states • of • America (ta of states touching bear's right ear). In left field: in / god we / trust in smaller letters. Around lower circumference: ☆ half dollar (r of dollar touching bear’s hind paw). In exergue, in small letters: liberty (l of liberty touches the top of half). In a left field near bear’s right paw, mint-mark s In upper right field, artist’s initials in monogram: js in relief.

Rev. San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge stretching from San Francisco to Yerba Buena Island and East Bay Hills, with Ferry Tower in the foreground. In water at left two ships about to pass under the bridge. Around upper circumference, superimposed over parts of the design: San Francisco - Oakland Bay bridge In exergue: 1936

Edge. Reeded. 30 mm. Silver.

Lettering. Gothic.

ricko

A nice design indeed... Thanks for the history...Cheers, RickO