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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. (later LA. Stamp
and Stationery Co., which went out of business in the 1960s). 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.
 
Photos courtesy of Jonathan Brecher
Obv. Aerial view of breakwater, pier and yacht
basin; single small star each side; above Souvenir Breakwater 1933;
below Santa Monica, Calif.; beaded border.
Rev. 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. 38mm.
HK-681 Copper.
HK-682 Bronze.
HK-683 Brass.
HK-684 Brass with bronze center. Center
portion measures 24mm.
HK-685 Bronze with aluminum center.
HK-685a. Brass with
aluminum center.
HK-685b. Aluminum with
brass center.
HK-686 Nickel.
HK-687 Aluminum.
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