Celebrating the Opening of the San Francisco-Oakland Bridge
When it opened, the Bay Bridge was the longest bridge ever built, connecting two distinct bridge types (suspension bridge (western span) and a cantilever bridge (eastern span)). Once completed, the Bay Bridge would allow drivers to travel from San Francisco to Oakland easily and quickly.
A bill requesting a commemorative coin for the opening of the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge was proposed. The bill passed through both Houses of Congress, received President Franklin Roosevelt’s signature, and became law. The San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge Celebration Committee selected California artist Jacques Schnier to design the coin.
Design Details
The obverse of the coin depicted a grizzly called Monarch II who lived in Golden Gate Park. Some authors believe the bear is a composite of several bears at local zoos. The bear is looking straight toward the viewer. Around the Periphery above the bear is “UNITED * STATES * OF * AMERICA.” That is followed by three five-pointed stars and then the denomination at the lower periphery “HALF DOLLAR” and then one additional five-pointed star. Above the denomination is the word “LIBERTY,” and to the viewer’s left of the bear is “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
The reverse of the coin depicts the Bay Bridge as its central vignette. The Ferry Building on the Embarcadero is front and center, and the hills are seen in the background. A small ferry boat and a large ocean liner sail through the waters. The periphery is surmounted with “SAN FRANCISCO – OAKLAND BAY BRIDGE,” and at the bottom, the periphery is the date “1936.” The design was accepted, and 100,000 of the 200,000 authorized coins were struck by the San Francisco Mint.
The coins ordered by mail were shipped in holders and envelopes pre-printed by the committee. Both single- and six-coin holders are known.
Distribution and Mintage
Many of the 100,000 coins struck were sold at the toll booths on the Bay Bridge itself. Those who wanted these commemorative coins could also buy them from the San Francisco Clearing House Association, local banks, or by mail. A total of 71,424 coins had been sold, including the 55 reserved for assay. The rest were returned to the San Francisco mint for melting.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the issuance of the coins, 1,000 Bay Bridge coins were purchased by a coin dealer and encapsulated in a large holder featuring a depiction of Schnier holding one of his models of the commemorative coin’s obverse. Schnier signed and sequentially numbered all 1,000 coin holders, which were then sonically sealed. Expand your collection today and shop for other U.S. classic silver commemorative coins.
