San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge Commemorative Half Dollar 1936 S 90% Silver 50c. A genuine 1936 S San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge Opening Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin. Struck in 90% silver, this special commemorative coin is known as the Bay Bridge half dollar. It was issued to mark the opening of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. Its distinctive designs were created by Jacques Schnier, a San Francisco artist. The obverse depicts a massive California grizzly bear. The reverse shows the iconic bridge stretching past the Ferry Tower. Buena Island and East Bay Hills can be seen in the distance. The images used for this listing are stock photos from our inventory.