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The 1929-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar is worth anywhere from $12 in worn condition to over $15,000 for high-end mint state specimens. This iconic silver coin, struck at the Denver Mint just before the historic Great Depression, remains a favorite for both casual hobbyists and serious numismatists alike.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | $12 – $15 |
| Fine (F-12) | $20 – $30 |
| Extremely Fine (EF-40) | $65 – $85 |
| Uncirculated (MS-60) | $250 – $400 |
| Choice Uncirculated (MS-65+) | $2,500 – $15,000+ |
History of the 1929-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar
If you’ve recently found an old silver coin while cleaning out an attic or Inheriting a family collection, you might be holding a piece of American history. The Walking Liberty design, created by Adolph A. Weinman, is widely considered one of the most beautiful images ever struck on a U.S. coin. To know for sure what you have, many beginners turn to a top coin identifier app to quickly sort through their treasures.
The 1929-D edition was minted at the Denver facility during a pivotal year in global history. This was the year of the Wall Street Crash, which led to a significant decrease in the production of coinage in the years that followed. Unlike the high-mintage coins of the modern era, the Denver Mint produced just under 1 million of these halves in 1929. Because so many were used in daily commerce to buy groceries or pay rent during the Depression, finding one in perfect, “uncirculated” condition today is quite rare.
If you are using CoinKnow to manage your collection, you’ll notice that mid-range conditions are the most common. Most 1929-D halves spent years in circulation, slowly losing the fine details of Lady Liberty’s gown and the eagle’s feathers. However, even a heavily worn coin is valuable because it is composed of 90% pure silver, giving it a “melt value” that acts as a price floor.
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How to Identify a 1929 Denver Mint Mark
Identifying a 1929-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar is straightforward once you know where to look. Unlike later coins where the mint mark is on the obverse (front), the Walking Liberty series from 1929 features the mint mark on the reverse. You will need to flip the coin over and look at the lower left-hand side, near the rim, just below the branch the eagle is perched on.
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You are looking for a small “D” which signifies the Denver Mint. If there is no letter at all, it was minted in Philadelphia. If there is an “S,” it came from San Francisco. The 1929-D is particularly interesting because its mintage was lower than the Philadelphia version but higher than the San Francisco version. This makes it a “middle-of-the-pack” date for collectors, though still highly desirable.
Using CoinKnow can help you zoom in on these tiny marks to ensure you aren’t misidentifying the coin. A clear “D” mark is essential for determining the correct market price. Collectors often pay a premium for Denver coins from this era because they were known for having a “soft” strike, making sharp, well-defined examples exceptionally hard to find.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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| Mint Mark | Mintage Quantity | Scarcity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1929 (Philadelphia) | 1,902,000 | Common |
| 1929-D (Denver) | 944,400 | Scarce |
| 1929-S (San Francisco) | 1,902,000 | Common |
Determining the Grade and Condition
The biggest factor in the 1929-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar uncirculated value is the “grade” or condition. Coin grading is a scale from 1 to 70. A coin with a grade of 1 is barely identifiable, while a 70 is absolutely perfect. Most coins found in old jars or drawers usually fall into the “Good” to “Very Fine” range.
To check the grade yourself, look at the high points of the design. On the front, check Liberty’s left breast, her right hand, and the folds of the American flag wrapped around her. If these areas are flat and smooth, the coin is in “Circulated” condition. If you can see the individual lines in the feathers of the eagle’s wing on the back, you might have a high-grade coin worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Never clean your coins! This is a common mistake made by beginners. Even a light scrubbing with baking soda or soap can leave microscopic scratches that destroy the numismatic value. A dirty, original coin is always worth more than a shiny, cleaned one. If you’re unsure, consulting the latest 1929 half dollar price data can give you a better idea of what similar-looking coins are selling for at auction.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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Market Demand and Silver Content
The 1929-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar is a “dual-value” coin. This means it has value both as a collectible item and as a piece of precious metal. Every coin minted before 1965 contains 90% silver and 10% copper. With 0.36169 ounces of pure silver in every half dollar, your coin will always be worth at least its “melt value,” which fluctuates with the global silver market.
However, the “numismatic premium”—the extra money collectors pay above the silver price—is what makes the 1929-D special. Because the mintage was relatively low (under 1 million), there is a constant demand from people trying to complete a “date and mint mark set.” As older collections are locked away or lost, the available supply of these coins continues to shrink, often pushing prices higher over the long term.
For the average American, this means that even a “beat up” coin is worth far more than its 50-cent face value. Currently, with silver prices around $25-$30 per ounce, the silver alone is worth about $10. But because the 1929-D is a scarcer date, you can expect a minimum of $12 to $15 even in the worst condition.
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| Condition | Estimated Value (USD) |
|---|---|
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $150 – $185 |
| Mint State (MS-63) | $650 – $800 |
| Mint State (MS-66) | $5,000 – $8,500 |
Where to Sell Your 1929-D Half Dollar
If you’ve determined that your coin is in great shape using CoinKnow, your next step is deciding where to sell it. For low-grade, circulated coins, a local coin shop is often the easiest route. They will typically offer you a price slightly below the retail market value so they can make a profit when they resell it. It is a quick and safe way to get cash for your find.
For high-grade specimens (MS-60 and above), you should consider professional grading through services like PCGS or NGC. A certified “slabbed” coin often sells for double or triple the price of an uncertified one because the buyer has a guarantee of the coin’s authenticity and condition. These high-value coins are best sold through major auction houses like Heritage Auctions or Stacks Bowers, where specialized collectors compete for the best pieces.
Ebay is another popular option, but it requires more work. You’ll need to take high-quality photos and deal with shipping and potential returns. Before listing, always check “Sold” listings rather than “Active” listings to see what people are actually paying. This ensures your expectations are realistic and helps you get a fair deal for your silver half dollar.
FAQ
Q: Why is the 1929-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar more valuable than other years?
A: The 1929-D is more valuable because it has a relatively low mintage of 944,400. Many were also lost to circulation or melted down during WWII silver shortages. Specimens in high “Mint State” grades are particularly rare and command massive premiums.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
Q: How can I tell if my 1929-D half dollar is real?
A: Real coins should weigh 12.5 grams and have a diameter of 30.6mm. It should also have a distinct “ring” when gently tapped, which is characteristic of 90% silver. If it sticks to a magnet, it is a fake, as silver is non-magnetic.
Q: Does cleaning the coin help increase its value?
A: No! Cleaning a coin is the fastest way to ruin its value. Collectors prefer “original skin,” which is the natural patina or toning that develops over decades. Harsh cleaning leaves scratches and an unnatural shine that will cause the coin to be rejected by professional graders.
Q: What is the most expensive 1929-D Walking Liberty ever sold?
A: High-grade examples in MS-67 condition have sold for upwards of $20,000 to $30,000 at elite auctions. Most “pocket change” finds won’t reach this level, but they are still worth significantly more than their face value.