1829 Classic Head Half Cent. C-1, the only known dies. Rarity-1. MS-66 RB (PCGS). CAC. OGH. Type: Type V: Classic Head.Design: Obv: Liberty faces left, her hair bound by a fillet inscribed LIBERTY. Thirteen stars are arranged around the border, seven left and six right, the date 1829 below. Rev: A single branch bound at the bottom by a single bowed ribbon surrounds the denomination HALF CENT. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is around the border.Weight Standard: 84 grains (5.44 grams).Diameter: 23.5 mm.Die Variety: Cohen-1, Breen-1, Gilbert-1. Obv: This is the only 1829-dated obverse in the half cent series, here in its only use. Rev: The highest leaf on the branch extends just beyond the final letter S in STATES, a tiny die dot at the top of the leaf to the left of the ribbon bow. The only use of this reverse.Die State: Manley 2.0, the usual state. Obv: Extremely faint clash marks are evident in the field before Libertys face and throat. Some of the border denticles are weak, the stars beginning to draw toward the edge. Rev: The die has been reground and repolished, lightening the fragments through the letter C in CENT and at the top of the letter H in HALF. Faintly clashed within the wreath, especially to the right of the letter F in HALF, with the border denticulation fading.Edge: Plain.Mintage: The reported mintage for half cents during calendar year 1829 is 487,000 coins, a total that probably includes some coins dated 1828. No half cents were struck from 1830-dated dies.Estimated Surviving Population for the Issue: Since there is only a single die variety known for the 1829 half cent, the estimated surviving population for the issue is the same as that for the die variety.Estimated Surviving Population for the Die Variety: Rarity-1: More than 2,000 coins in all grades.Strike: Sharply defined for the die state, all major design elements are actually more or less full. Border denticulation is weak in areas, the obverse drawn trivially to 5:30, reverse to 11:30.Surfaces: Pristine-looking surfaces are highly lustrous with an intense satin to softly frosted finish. Plenty of faded pinkish-rose color remains, and both sides have intermingled rose-brown and pale golden-gray patina that adds to the eye appeal.Commentary: The 1829 half cent represented an inflection point in the history of this denomination. Pauses punctuate the half cents timeline, but rarely do they beget change. No half cents were struck between 1811 and 1825, but after the 14-year sabbatical, the coins looked about as they did before. After 1829, the half cent took a year off in 1830 and was retooled with essentially the same design. William Kneass reworking took into account changes in technology, giving the coins that followed a squarer edge and a higher rim. Soft strikes became a thing of the past. This coin is the last of the old guard. After the half cent returned in 1831, its days as a workhorse copper for circulation would be largely behind it.This is the finest 1829 half cent that we can ever recall offering, finer even than the D. Brent Pogue specimen that was certified MS-64 BN by PCGS. Outstanding! From the ESM Collection.
