The 1936 Bay Bridge Commemorative Half Dollar is a coin issued by the United States Mint to commemorate the completion of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. This iconic bridge connects San Francisco and Oakland in California and is a significant landmark in the region. The coin features a depiction of the Bay Bridge on the obverse (front) side. The design shows the eastern span of the bridge with a portion of the suspension tower rising prominently. The inscriptions “San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge” and “In God We Trust” are also present on this side. On the reverse (back) side of the coin, you would find an eagle perched on a western gull, which is a nod to the region’s natural wildlife. This side includes the inscriptions “United States of America, ” “Half Dollar, ” “E Pluribus Unum” (the national motto), and the year 1936. The coin was designed by Jacques Schnier and was minted in silver. It has a diameter of 30.6mm and a weight of 12.5 grams. It was issued to mark the completion of the Bay Bridge and to raise funds for the bridge’s opening celebrations and the Golden Gate International Exposition of 1939. Like many commemorative coins of its time, the 1936 Bay Bridge Commemorative Half Dollar holds historical and artistic significance, reflecting an important moment in the development of infrastructure and the cultural life of the San Francisco Bay Area. Collectors and history enthusiasts often seek out these coins as a tangible piece of this historical event.