So-Called Dollars

Golden Gate International Exposition - 1939-1940 - San Francisco, CA

Purpose: To celebrate openings of both Golden Gate and San Francisco-Oakland Bridges; former, "longest single suspension span in the world"; latter, "largest structure of its kind in the history of man."

Organization: Our 5th largest exposition; first suggested by San Francisco News. Founding Committee appointed by mayor; succeeded by San Francisco Bay Exposition Co., chartered July 1934. Legislature created California Commission 1937; state granted $5,000,000; city $1,000,000. Federal funds built Treasure Island (see Site). While there was "a clear heritage" between 1939 exposition and 1940 revival, "there was no direct...continuity." Latter virtually was new venture on old site, opened only after much debate and disagreement; European war conditions "complicated everything." Successor to original company was The 1940 Exposition, Inc.

Site: Man-made Treasure Island, built on Yerba Buena shoals in San Francisco Bay by W. P. A. at cost of $7,500,000; 400 acres, 5500 ft. by 3400 ft. Shoals, long-time navigation menace, acquired by city originally for airport but World War II precluded such use. Island now U. S. Navy Base.

Dates, Attendance: First year, Feb. 18—Oct. 29, 1939; second year, May 25—Sept. 29, 1940; total two-year attend- once over 17,000,000; 13,000,000 paid.

Participants: First year, 13 states, Hawaii, 26 foreign countries; second year, 9 states, Hawaii, 11 foreign countries "officially," 15 more "unofficially"; many erected own buildings but war conditions caused marked changes between years. Exhibitors exceeded 30,000; many Federal displays but no Mint Exhibit.

Comment: Construction of island included transplanting 4,000 trees, some 60 feet tall, weighing 40 tons; architecture and landscaping combined "beauty and dramatic phases of the oriental and occidental," with lavish use of color. Called Pageant of the Pacific, in essence this was "a travel fair"; instead of stressing scientific progress itself, theme was that of culture and use of leisure made possible by industrial achievements. Prominently displayed were "vast recreational resources" of area as "spectacular background for industrial progress."

Medals: There was no dollar-size Official Medal, probably because of lack of Mint Exhibit. There was an Official Emblem or Seal, however, which appeared on many private issues.

Official Emblem or Seal: Tower and bridge, setting sun in background; above 1939 / San Francisco Bay — all within center circle; outside, around Golden Gate International Exposition; at bottom edge, microscopic Pat. / D—110016.

GOLDEN GATE—MAP OF U. S.
(E. E. HENSLEY) DOLLAR

Obverse: Large ornamental gate; tower in lower center foreground; bay, bridge and setting sun in background; at top of gate on ribbon Welcome / to l. 1849, to r. 1850 / 1906; on gate l. Golden, r. Gate; just below in center International / Exposition, in lower l. of gate 1939; 16 stars each side of gate outside; below gate San Francisco, California
Reverse: Map of U. S., Mexico and Central America showing cities and dates of previous Expositions; above map l. microscopic (c) by / E. E. Hensley S. F.; outside map around International and Industrial Exhibitions Held in the United States; below, at Canal Panama Canal

HK-478 - Gilt. Size 24.

Image provided by John Dean

LORD’S PRAYER DOLLARS
TYPE I, PROTESTANT TRANSLATION

Obverse: Official Emblem, per description under Medals above, but no Pat. / D—110016; beaded border.
Reverse: Complete Lord’s Prayer in 15 lines across, ending in The Power, and the Glory, / Forever. / Amen.; beaded border.

HK-479 - Bronze. Size 21.

Image provided by John Dean

TYPE II, CATHOLIC TRANSLATION

Obverse: Same as obverse of No. 479
Reverse: Lord’s Prayer in 14 lines across, ending in But Deliver Us / From All Evil. / Amen; beaded border.

HK-479a - Bronze. Size 21.

Image provided by Jonathan Brecher

Obverse: Similar to obverse of No. 479 but Official Emblem is not contained within any center circle; also 1939 is much larger; no beaded border.
Reverse: Same as reverse of No. 479-a.

HK-480 - Bronze. Size 21.
NOTE: There are die varieties known of both types I and II (both pieces) without beaded border reverse.

OFFICIAL EMBLEM—TREASURE ISLAND DOLLARS

Obverse: Official Emblem, per description under medals above.
Reverse: Island; airplane to l.; bridge and setting sun in background; above all Treasure Island (three reverse die varieties known)

HK-481 - Bronze Gilt. Size 21.
HK-482 - White Metal.

PETROLEUM DOLLARS

Distributed by Petroleum Exhibit on grounds.

TYPE I

Obverse: Oil drill; to l. 19, to r. 40 — all within center circle; outside, around * The Story of Petroleum * Golden Gate International Exposition
Reverse: * / A Dollar Spent / for Petroleum Products / Never Stops Circulating. / It Pays for Wages, Taxes, / Materials and Brings / Countless Benefits to / Every Business /*; beaded border. (Two reverse die varieties known).

HK-483 - Bronze Gilt. Size 22.

TYPE II

Obverse: Oil drill in center; below Petroleum Exhibit / 1939; above drill, around * Golden Gate *; below all, around International Exposition; beaded border.
Reverse: Same as above reverse, including beaded border.

HK-484 - Bronze Gilt. Size 22.

PIECE OF EIGHT—TREASURE ISLAND DOLLAR

Little information can be developed on this issue. Apparently sale planned for 1939 and possibly 1,000 struck; however, "late delivery" resulted in sale of only 150 to 400 for $1 each; remainder of issue melted down. Collectors and dealers state that no more than 15 pieces can be located at this time.

Obverse: Facsimile of Spanish Milled Dollar (pillar dollar or piece of eight); at top Treasure Island; below shield 1939; to l. of crown base S.F.; to r. Cal.
Reverse: At top Facsimile of Piece of Eight / from / Treasure Island; at bottom San Francisco Bay / California

HK-485 - Brass, silver-plated. Size 25.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE DOLLAR

Obverse: Same as obverse of No. 479.

Reverse: Superimposed on American Flag in background, at top around, is Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag; then Pledge itself in 8 lines—all within wreath; beaded border.

HK-486 - Bronze. Size 21.

Image provided by Jonathan Brecher

GOLD DOLLAR-SIZE (CHARBNEAU) DOLLARS

Designed and issued by Jules Charbneau, San Francisco fine arts appraiser and dealer. Total pieces struck, both years, 2500 Gold, sold for $5; 500 Silver and 50 Copper, sold for $1 each. There were two Gold issues, one dated 1939, other 1940 but it cannot be established if Silver and Copper also were struck each year. Sale was disappointing and bulk of entire issue was melted down. Reverse bust of Pacif’ica, "Queen" of fair, taken from her full statue, located on grounds at entrance to Cavalcade of the Golden West exhibit.

Obverse: Tower and exposition grounds, bridge in background; above, around Golden Gate Int. Exposition; below all 1939 (or 1940); at l. border, microscopic C M J Reverse: Large head, of sculptured or idol type, facing front; above Pacifica; on l. bar of hair, microscopic C M J

HK-487 - Silver, dated 1939 or 1940; Sterling on reverse at bottom border. Size of Gold Dollar. Size 8.
HK-488 - Gold, dated 1939; on reverse, numeral 1 to l. of head and D to r.; Solid Gold at bottom border
HK-1033 - Platinum, dated 1939. Same as 488 but no Solid Gold
HK-489 - Gold, dated 1940; additional reverse lettering same as last.
HK-490 - Copper, dated 1939 or 1940.

Image provided by John Dean

TOWER OF THE SUN DOLLAR

Obverse: Same as obverse of No. 480.
Reverse: Tower; Bay, mountains and sun with rays in background; above all, around, The Tower of the Sun

HK-490a - Bronze Gilt. Size 21.