Commems Collection Classic: Quick Bits 158 - A Bear-Ly There Connection

Many animals (besides eagles) are depicted within the classic United States ("US") commemorative coin series, here's a list:

- US Commemorative Coins Depicting Other Animals

One particular animal appears on a mini-set of coins that all have a California connection - I refer to the California Grizzly Bear. Three silver half dollars of the classic-era series feature a California Grizzly Bear within their designs: the 1925 California Statehood 75th Anniversary, the 1935-36 California-Pacific International Exposition (aka "San Diego") and the 1936 San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Opening issues.

First up of the group is the half dollar issued in 1925 - the California Statehood Diamond Jubilee (75th Anniversary) Half Dollar. The coin presents a California Grizzly Bear on its reverse as it strides to the left. The design is the work of Joseph Mora.

1925 California Diamond Jubilee Half Dollar


Next is the half dollar issued in conjunction with the 1935-36 California-Pacific International Exposition held in San Diego. It includes a bear as part of its obverse design that was adapted from the California State Seal. The design is the work of Robert Aitken.

1935 California-Pacific International Exposition Half Dollar


Rounding out the trio is the 1936 San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Opening Half Dollar. The coin feature's a front-facing California Grizzly Bear as the primary obverse design element. The design is the work of Jacques Schnier.

1936 San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Opening Half Dollar



You can read more about each of the coins referenced here via: Commems Collection.