Older San Francisco
Alemany Flea Market Pennies
I got the next bunch of pennies at the flea market that happens every Sunday down the hill from my house, every once in a while I'll see a smashed penny. I don't know if these are old or not, but I know that they're designs that aren't available now, they're all old pennies, and they all have a quality of detail that I've never seen before. I think they're worth the 3 or so bucks each I paid. I also got one from New York and one that has the Lord's Prayer on it.
I got this one, pressed at the 1939-40 Golden Gate International Exposition (pretty much called the World's Fair around here), at the Alemany Flea Market for 3 bucks. There are so many of these with minute differences that I can't even tell them apart. You really need a magnifying glass.
"1915 - Frisco" This one is the prize of my collection! I got it at the Alemany Flea Market in August of '99, it's from the Panama Pacific Exposition of 1915, held at what became San Francisco's Marina District. The penny shows the Tower of Jewels.
"San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge - Marvel of Suspensions" Hey! What's the cantilever section, chopped liver? I can't read the date of the penny, the hole is punched right over it.
"San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge - Two Great Cities Meet" The cantilever section really get short shrift on this one, the bridge is depicted with both sides as suspensions. Sheesh...you knew the Bay Bridge was two different bridges with Yerba Buena Island in the middle, right?
"Ferry Building - San Francisco, Cal" The detail of this penny is incredible, it shows tiny streetcars on even tinier tracks circling in front at the foot of Market Street. I actually have two of these, one on a 1938 and one on a 1910 (not the 1910 S, if you were wondering).
"Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco Marin County - Wonder of the World" It shows the sun setting over the Pacific as a steam ship sails under the bridge.
"Chinatown - San Francisco Cal." This is the pagoda-type building at the corner of California and Grant. I think for most tourists, it's the enduring image of San Francisco's chinatown.