Commems Collection Classic: 1936 San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge Opening - Historical Tidbits

A few quick notes about the 1936 San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge Opening Half Dollar...


Tidbit #1
The designer of the 1936 San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge Opening Half Dollar, Jacques Schnier, was a professor in the Department of Sculpture at the University of California (Berkeley). He taught classes in modeling (among others).

1936 San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge Opening Half Dollar Artist-Signed Holder



Tidbit #2

Jacques Schnier used multiple live, captive bears as the basis for his coin design. One bear, Monarch II, was a significant influence, however.

Note: Monarch II was the son of Monarch the grizzly bear that gained fame in the 1890s and first decade of the 1900s. Monarch was captured in 1889, held in captivity, died in 1911 and was subsequently preserved via taxidermy. Some (but not all) believe he served as the model for the grizzly bear seen on the California State Flag.


Tidbit #3

In September 1936, the coin department within the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Celebration urged California collectors to place their orders for the commemorative half dollar immediately, before it was too late.

It was reported that thousands of coin pre-orders had already been received from collectors in New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. So, time was of the essence!

Of course, history tells us that the coin did not sell out its authorized limit of 200,000. In fact, just 100,000 coins were ordered/struck and over 28,000 were returned to the Mint to be melted. It would appear that Californians were able to secure all the coins they desired!


Tidbit #4

In early February 1937, it was announced that the deadline for orders of the Bay Bridge half dollar was to be February 15, 1937. Unsold coins after such date were to be returned to the Mint to be melted - over 28,000 (of 100,000) were returned.


1936 San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge Opening Half Dollar



For a few bits about the bridge itself, including images of it, see:

- Coins Depicting Places - San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.


For more of my stories about commemorative coins and medals, including other Historical Tidbit stories, see: Commems Collection.