A 1929-D in PCGS MS67+ CAC sold for $82,250 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions — yet worn examples start around $28. With only 2.9 million coins produced across both mints and no production from 1930 to 1932, the 1929 Walking Liberty is one of the last pre-Depression half dollars and a genuine condition rarity in Gem Mint State.
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The 1929-S Walking Liberty is the rarer of the two 1929 issues in Gem Mint State. The finest known example — graded MS67 by PCGS — realized $71,875 at Heritage Auctions. Use this checklist to see if your coin has the hallmarks of a premium specimen.
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No major catalogued die varieties have been officially designated by PCGS or NGC specifically for the 1929 Walking Liberty half dollar. However, genuine mint errors from this low-mintage, pre-Depression issue are extraordinarily rare and command exceptional collector premiums. Any authenticated error on a 1929 Walker carries a significant rarity premium on top of the already-collectible base date. Below are the five error types most likely to surface and what they're worth when genuine.
An off-center strike occurs when a planchet slips out of proper position in the collar at the moment of striking, causing the dies to impress the design onto only a portion of the coin's surface. The result is a crescent-shaped blank area where no design was applied. On Walking Liberty half dollars, off-center errors are among the most visually dramatic and immediately recognizable mint mistakes.
To recognize this error, look for a portion of the coin surface that is completely blank — no design, no lettering, no rim. The existing design will appear pushed toward one edge. The degree of off-centering is described as a percentage: a 10% off-center error shows only a thin sliver of blank planchet, while a 50% off-center piece has half the design missing. More dramatic off-centers (25%+) command the strongest premiums.
Collector demand for off-center Walking Liberty halves is strong and consistent, driven by the visual drama of the error and the series' overall popularity. The 1929 date adds a significant premium beyond a common-date off-center. Values range from approximately $200 for a modest 10% off-center in average circulated condition to $800 or more for a dramatic 40–50% off-center example on a higher-grade coin. Authentication by PCGS or NGC is strongly recommended before purchasing.
A clipped planchet error occurs during the blanking process at the mint, when the punch that cuts circular blanks from the silver strip overlaps a previously punched hole. The result is a coin missing a curved (or, less commonly, straight) section of its edge. Curved clips are the most common, following the arc of the previous punch hole. This error is entirely a planchet-production defect, created before the blank even enters the coining press.
The diagnostic feature visible to a collector with a 10x loupe is the Blakesley effect: the area of design directly opposite the clip will show weakness or incompleteness, even on otherwise well-struck coins. This weakening occurs because metal does not flow properly toward the clipped edge during striking. A curved indentation at the rim, clearly visible to the naked eye, is the primary identifier — the missing section will have smooth metal edges, not a jagged break.
Clipped planchet errors on 1920s Walking Liberty half dollars are genuinely scarce since relatively few coins survive and fewer still were preserved as collectibles. The rarity of the 1929 date amplifies the premium over a common-date clip error. A well-documented example with clear Blakesley effect and a visible 10–20% clip from any 1929 Walker would realistically achieve $200–$600 at major auction, with larger clips commanding more. PCGS and NGC both encapsulate genuine clip errors and provide an important guarantee of authenticity.
A doubled die obverse (DDO) occurs during the hubbing process at the mint, when the working die receives multiple impressions from the master hub with a slight rotational or linear shift between impressions. The result is a permanent doubling of some or all design elements, visible as shadow images or notching on letters, numerals, and design details. Unlike machine doubling (a worthless die deterioration artifact), genuine DDO varieties are highly desirable and permanent features of specific dies.
On a Walking Liberty half dollar, the primary diagnostic areas for doubled die obverse varieties are the date numerals at the bottom of the obverse, the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" in the right field, and "LIBERTY" along the top rim. Under 5–10x magnification, genuine doubling appears as sharp, distinct secondary images offset from the primary elements — not as a blurring or smearing, which would indicate the less valuable machine doubling. The date on 1929 issues is particularly diagnostic since both mints used working dies that can, in theory, show hub-doubling artifacts.
No officially catalogued DDO has been formally designated for the 1929 Walking Liberty half dollar by major cataloguing organizations. However, confirmed examples of hub doubling on 1929 Walkers would be significant discoveries, and the series as a whole is known for doubled die varieties across multiple dates. A confirmed, independently authenticated DDO on a 1929 issue would easily command $300–$1,500 or more depending on the degree of doubling and coin grade — and could potentially attract far higher bids if the variety were formally catalogued as a FS-designated variety by CONECA or similar organizations.
A broadstrike error occurs when a planchet is struck without the retaining collar that normally constrains the coin's diameter and forms the reeded edge. Without the collar's constraint, the metal spreads outward in all directions during the striking force, producing a coin that is flatter and wider than normal. The design elements spread toward the rim, and the coin lacks the raised rim and reeding of a normal issue. Broadstrikes are most visually obvious compared against a normal coin of the same type.
The diagnostic feature on a broadstrike is the absence of a sharp, raised rim and the complete lack of edge reeding. The coin will measure slightly larger in diameter than the standard 30.6mm specification and will appear flattened or "pancaked" compared to a normal issue. Design details near the periphery — the stars, "LIBERTY," and the rim dentils — may appear spread out or incomplete. The coin will still carry full design detail in the center, but the edge area is clearly abnormal on examination.
Broadstrike errors on pre-1930 Walking Liberty half dollars are genuinely uncommon since surviving examples of any 1929 Walker are relatively few, and broadstrikes were often spent or discarded before reaching collectors. The combination of a 1929-dated coin with a collar-failure error makes for an attractive conversation piece. Broadstrike Walking Liberty halves from more common dates have sold at Heritage Auctions in the $150–$400 range, and the scarce 1929 date would push a genuine example toward the upper end of that range or higher for a premium-condition coin.
Lamination errors and planchet defects occur when the silver strip used to make coin blanks contains internal impurities, gas pockets, or contaminants from the rolling and annealing process. When the planchet is struck, these weaknesses cause thin layers of the coin's surface metal to separate, crack, or peel away. Delamination errors appear as slash-like lines or peeling surfaces where a thin metal layer has separated from the underlying coin body. These are entirely production-stage defects and are not caused by post-mint damage.
The key diagnostic under a 10x loupe is a metallic flap or separation line in the coin's surface that follows no design element — it will cross over lettering, devices, and fields indiscriminately, unlike a scratch or gouge that would show directionality. A lamination crack shows as a thin, raised, jagged line in the coin's surface. A peeling lamination may show a triangular or irregular flap of metal partially lifted from the surface. The metal under the separation will appear with a different texture than the coin's main surface.
Planchet defect errors on 1920s silver coinage are collected by error specialists who appreciate the historical context of pre-Federal Reserve metal processing. The 1929 Walking Liberty half dollar, struck during the last year of half dollar production before the Great Depression, represents a particularly appealing canvas for any planchet error. Examples with dramatic, clearly visible laminations command premiums over subtler surface defects. Values range from approximately $100 for a minor lamination crack to $400 or more for a dramatic peeling lamination covering a significant portion of the coin's surface.
| Mint | Mint Mark | Mintage | MS Population (PCGS+NGC) | Top Grade Known |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | D | 1,001,200 | ~1,802 grading events (as of 2024) | MS67+ (PCGS, 2 known) |
| San Francisco | S | 1,902,000 | ~532 MS grading events (NGC) | MS67 (PCGS) |
| Total 1929 | 2,903,200 | No Philadelphia Mint half dollars struck in 1929 | ||
The combined 1929 mintage of under 3 million is one of the lowest in the Walking Liberty series — only the 1921 issues, 1916 issues, and the 1938-D are scarcer in absolute terms. Of the coins minted, a very small fraction survives in Mint State today. Half dollar production ceased entirely after 1929 and did not resume until 1933, making these the last Walking Liberty halves struck before the Great Depression and a significant historical crossroads in American numismatics.
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Values below are based on recent auction results and established price guides. For a full step-by-step 1929 half dollar identification walkthrough and detailed grade-by-grade breakdown, see this complete 1929 Walking Liberty half dollar reference guide. Values shown are approximate retail for problem-free coins; cleaned or damaged coins sell for significantly less.
| Variety | Worn (G–VG) | Circulated (F–XF) | Uncirculated (MS60–64) | Gem (MS65+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1929-D (Denver) | $28 – $43 | $50 – $230 | $730 – $2,400 | $2,400 – $82,250 |
| ⭐ 1929-S (San Francisco) GEM RARITY | $28 – $46 | $50 – $270 | $780 – $2,760 | $2,760 – $71,875 |
| 🔴 1929-D Off-Center Strike | $200+ | $250 – $500 | $500 – $800+ | Rare — consult specialist |
| 1929 Clipped Planchet | $150+ | $200 – $400 | $400 – $600 | Rare — consult specialist |
| 1929 DDO (if confirmed) | $300+ | $400 – $800 | $800 – $1,500+ | Discovery coin — specialist evaluation needed |
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Liberty's design is visible but significantly flat. Gown lines are mostly worn smooth. The date and mint mark are readable. "IN GOD WE TRUST" is legible but weak. The coin is worth primarily its silver content plus a modest collector premium for the scarce date.
Gown lines are partially to nearly fully visible. Liberty's arm shows obvious wear but the design elements are clear. In XF, only the highest points are flat. The eagle's breast feathers show wear but remain distinct. These grades represent the most common surviving 1929 Walkers.
Full original mint luster present with no wear anywhere. Surface marks (bag marks, contact marks) are present but tolerable. The coin has never circulated but shows the typical abrasions from contact with other coins in mint bags. Value jumps substantially at each grade point in this range.
Exceptional luster, sharp strike, and minimal surface marks. Only the finest-quality Mint State survivors reach this tier. MS66+ and MS67 examples are extreme condition rarities for 1929 Walkers. The finest known 1929-D (MS67+ PCGS·CAC) realized $82,250, confirming the potential of top-grade survivors.
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The right venue depends on your coin's grade. Worn circulated coins are easy to sell anywhere; high-grade Mint State examples deserve major auction exposure to reach the most competitive bidders.
The largest numismatic auction house in the world. Best for MS63 and above examples, where competitive bidding between advanced collectors and registry set builders maximizes realized prices. Heritage's Walker specialists provide accurate attribution. The 1929-S MS67 ($71,875) and multiple MS66+ examples have sold through Heritage. Minimum consignment values typically apply for direct auction entry.
The broadest audience for circulated and lower Mint State examples. Browse recently sold prices for 1929-D Walking Liberty half dollars to calibrate your listing price. Use "Sold Listings" filter to see real completed transaction data. PCGS or NGC certified coins consistently sell for 20–40% more than equivalent raw coins on eBay due to buyer confidence.
Fast, convenient, and no listing fees. Dealers typically offer 50–70% of retail for circulated coins and 60–80% for certified Mint State examples. Ideal for worn to Fine examples where shipping and auction fees would eat into thin margins. Call ahead with the coin's grade and condition — a reputable dealer will give a rough estimate by phone before you make the trip.
r/Coins4Sale and r/CoinSales allow peer-to-peer transactions. Best for mid-range coins (VF to MS63) where you want retail price but prefer a direct sale over auction fees. The Walking Liberty series has an active collector community willing to pay fair prices. Always use PayPal Goods & Services for buyer and seller protection. Include clear photos and, if certified, the slab number.
If your 1929 Walking Liberty half dollar shows full luster and minimal wear, professional grading by PCGS or NGC is strongly recommended before selling. Certification costs approximately $35–$50 per coin and typically adds far more than that to the sale price for any coin MS63 or better. The 1929-D population at PCGS shows strong demand at every Mint State grade tier — a certified MS65 example will consistently outperform an equivalent raw coin by several hundred dollars.
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