Santa Monica Breakwater - 1933 - Santa Monica, CA
Medal struck for dedication of Breakwater; issuer and designer unknown but struck by Los Angeles Rubber Stamp Co. (now L. A. Stamp and Stationery Co.). Actually, two dedicatory ceremonies held, marking both beginning and completion of project, March 25, 1933 and Aug. 5, 1934, respectively.
Breakwater financed by $690,000 municipal bond issue. First crib, sunk March 25, 1933 "amid dedication ceremonies promptly broke in two." City "panicked"; abandoned plans for concrete-crib breakwater; finally, rock-mound type constructed of lightweight Catalina stone; completed July 6, 1934. Final dedication program included Pacific Coast and Southern California regattas (major yachting events) and nine days of boat races. Some label Breakwater "a fiasco from start to finish"; say it "is completely insufficient and unsightly ... has reshaped the beaches badly by causing uneven deposit of sand ... it is now a crumbling wreck."
Some medals have no figure after L.A.R.S. on reverse; most bear figure 1 to 14, significance of which unknown to authors. Six obverse die varieties known have no relationship to figures.
Obverse: Aerial view of breakwater, pier and yacht basin; single small star each side; above Souvenir Breakwater 1933; below Santa Monica, Calif.; beaded border.
Reverse: Full female figure on beach, amusement park in background; below Ocean Park / microscopic L.A.R.S. Co.; around Souvenir from California’s Playground; beaded border.
HK-680 - Silver; Sterling on rev., below Ocean Park. Size 24.
HK-681 - Copper.
HK-682 - Bronze.
HK-683 - Brass.
HK-684 - Brass with bronze center. Center portion measures 24 ˝ mm
HK-685 - Bronze with aluminum center.
HK-686 - Nickel.
HK-687 - Aluminum.
 
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