Owner Comments:
The dark arrival of the Great Depression in 1929 probably explains why the 1929-D and 1929-S are the most plentiful Half Dollars from that decade and are much easier to locate in mint state condition. With the economic turbulence of the stock market crash of that same year, many of these coins were likely saved and kept from entering circulation in the commercial marketplace. There was little need for these coins, unfortunately, due to the severe rise in unemployment and the decline in National productivity. These coins sat in government vaults until the Depression had subsided in the mid 1930s. By that time, all three mints had resumed minting coinage, so these coins were somewhat unnecessary for commercial use, which explains the larger number of MS survivors of halves for this year.
This coin is very tough to find well struck up and the strikes range from very flat to quite sharp. To find a sharp one, you really should begin looking at the MS 65 level. After searching long and hard, I finally, have found a well struck MS 64 that has well above average luster with minimal marks for the issue and grade. It has very good definition on the skirt lines and, although not 100% full, it is VERY well defined on the branch stem hand and thumb area. This Walker is softly lustrous and pleasing with intermittent sky-blue accents against the pale silver-gray surfaces. It also has some very interesting and dramatic die polish lines under Liberty's flag and under the 'In God We Trust' motto on the obverse. I feel that it is a good fit for my set.
Important varieties:
V101–Without 'AW' monogram
Although almost twice as many halves were minted in San Fransisco than in Denver in 1929, the 1929-S is slightly rarer in almost all MS grades, except for the lofty MS 67 superb gem grades. For the 1929-D issue, the finest known specimen is just ONE, lone PCGS example in MS 67, whereas there are several MS 67 examples for the 1929-S issue, although they are still considered a sheer rarity at that grade level. Population--PCGS 258/193 and NGC 189/157 with mintage at 1,902,000 pieces.