But he was frustrated in his search for a design. Most of the ideas he came across were related to seaside scenes or birds.
"It's so common," he said. "Whether West Coast or East Coast, it's all the same."
|
|
Last year he found it.
During his research he came across the Ocean Shore Railroad, a short-lived rail line that ran from San Francisco to Santa Cruz in the early 1900s.
According to information on the city of Pacifica Web site, construction of the railroad began almost 100 years ago, and was going well until the morning of April 17, 1906. That is the day an earthquake measuring 8.1 shook San Francisco and the Coastside.
The tremors collapsed the rail line and more than 4,000 feet of track. Rolling stock and construction equipment was dumped into the sea.
The railroad never recovered from the financial loss, but construction did resume.
From San Francisco, the railway eventually made several stops including Pacifica, Salada, Vallemar, Rockaway, and Pedro Point.
Tunnels had been constructed at Pedro Point before the train reached Half Moon Bay.
Though originally intended to bring tourists up and down the Coastside, the railroad was mostly used to carry produce from the surrounding farms.
For about 15 years, tourists and commuters could ride the line round-trip for 20 cents.
Although tourists continued to ride the railroad, the financial toll of earthquake and numerous landslides couldn't be overcome.
The emergence of the automobile also gave tourists a new means of transportation, eventually ending the era of rail travel here. The railroad finally ceased operations in 1920, only 15 years after it began.
Recently, an old railroad car from the Ocean Shore Railroad was donated to the Pacifica Historical Society and brought back to the city for restoration. It had been kept in Marin County.
Coincidentally its restoration was timed with the centennial of the railroad's concept and construction, which began in 1905.
It all inspired McCoy to create a coin commemorating the railroad. He hopes to use the proceeds to help raise funds for the car's restoration.
"It was a convergence of all these events and I said 'wow, this would be the time to produce a medal,'" he said.
Coin clubs produce commemorative medals every year based on historic events, and he figured this one was one such perfect occasion.
He began to research designs. From old photographs he finally came up with designs for the front and back.
On the front of the coin is a picture of the engine itself, detailed with pictures of passengers as they board.
On the reverse side is an engraving of the engine as it hugs Devils Slide, as well as a listing of all the stops along the railroad, including Half Moon Bay.
"I wanted something significant to the area," he said. "Devils Slide has never been mentioned."
Once the project was underway, he contacted the Pacifica Historical Society and said he wanted to help raise money for the effort with the proceeds from the sale of the coin.
The historical society will receive half of the profits.
McCoy initially commissioned 200 silver coins and 200 bronze coins as well as 100 nickel coins.
He also commissioned five gold coins, however an error in the process has delayed their production. He says he plans to get the gold coins remade sometime in the future.
Bronze coins are sold for $14, nickel coins for $16 and the one-ounce solid silver coins are $32.
The coins come in a box along with a short history and certification verifying authenticity.
The historical society will distribute 100 of the silver coins. McCoy will distribute the rest from his business, Coastside Coins, at the Antiques and Collectibles store in Pacifica.
McCoy says he hopes the coins will appeal to Coastsiders with a multitude of interests.
"This is a local coastal historic piece," he said.
But it also appeals to train collectors and hobbyists, he said.
For him, it is the gratifying culmination of a vision that was years in the making, as well as a deeply rewarding endeavor.
"It's like a treasure hunt and you have to learn history," McCoy said. "It ties us all together along here."
w