Numismatic

1936-S Bay Bridge Commemorative Half BU

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In 1936, the United States Mint struck a special silver half dollar to mark the opening of a massive engineering achievement in California. This brilliant uncirculated coin, minted in San Francisco, contains 0.3617 troy ounces of 90 percent pure silver, serving as a striking monument to regional pride and national progress. The obverse of the coin features a powerful representation of a California Golden Bear, a symbol deeply tied to the state's identity. The bear is rendered in bold, textured detail, surrounded by the inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and "LIBERTY," alongside the denomination of "HALF DOLLAR." On the reverse, the design showcases a sweeping perspective of the newly completed San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge. This side of the coin captures the grand scale of the suspension bridge stretching across the water, accompanied by the text "SAN FRANCISCO-OAKLAND BAY BRIDGE" and the year "1936." Together, these designs create a fascinating visual record of a landmark moment in American infrastructure.