After a thirteen year hiatus, production of Indian Head Half Eagles resumed for one year only. The 1929 is one of the more popular and curious issues of this design. It is the rarest date in the series, from the standpoint of over all rarity, despite a comparatively high original mintage figure. The vast majority of 1929 Indian Head Half Eagles were never released into circulation and they appear to have been melted soon afterwards. Today, this issue is almost never seen in circulated grades.

The 1929 Indian Head Half Eagle has a very distinctive pattern of strike. The centers are generally sharp with good details seen on the feathers and on the wings. Most examples display an indented line that runs along a good deal of the inner edge. This is most prominent through the date and in the words STATES OF on the reverse. It is possible that a 1929 Indian Head Half Eagle exists without these indentations but these are a good test as to the authenticity of this issue.

1929 Half Eagle: Luster, Surface Quality, and Color Variations

Most known examples are very heavily bagmarked on the surfaces. The typical 1929 Half Eagle has the appearance of a Very Choice or even Gem piece but they are typically downgraded one or two points by the presence of detracting abrasions in the fields.

The luster on this issue is excellent and it generally has a very frosty texture. A few are seen with a more subdued satiny texture. Most collectors prefer the former surface texture.

Coloration seen on the 1929 Half Eagle is often a deep yellow-gold with strong yellowish tints. Less often, this date shows a medium green-gold hue.