1829 29 over 7

The 1829 Capped Bust Half Dollar with the 29-over-7 overdate is one of the most studied die corrections among Capped Bust varieties, showing evidence of a working die originally prepared in 1827 that was updated for use two years later. Mint engravers punched a fresh 9 directly over the existing 7 in the date, leaving traces of the underlying digit visible inside and around the loop of the 9 on coins struck from that die. The overdate was cataloged by Al Overton and remains a recognized target for collectors working through the early half dollar series. Its existence demonstrates the practical mint economy of the period, where serviceable dies were preserved across calendar years rather than scrapped after the original date became outdated.

Capped Bust Half Dollars in 1829 carried the established John Reich specifications, including 89.24 percent silver, a weight of 13.48 grams, a diameter of 32.5 millimeters, and the lettered edge inscription FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR. Authentication of the 29-over-7 overdate requires careful examination of the second digit 9 in the date under magnification, where remnants of the underlying 7 should be visible. On well-preserved examples, the top serif of the original 7 typically shows above and to the left of the 9, while traces of the angled stem can sometimes be seen within the loop. Confirmation through Overton plate matching is essential, since worn examples and altered or damaged coins can sometimes show date features that mimic an overdate without genuinely being one. Weight verification and edge inscription quality round out the diagnostic process.

Population data from Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC), along with Heritage Auctions records, show the 29-over-7 is collected with enthusiasm across circulated grades, with mint state survivors being scarcer and commanding premium prices when offered. Variety specialists treat this overdate as one of the foundational acquisitions for any Capped Bust Half Dollar collection alongside the 27-over-6 and other documented overdates of the series. For broader context on the design history, die preparation methods of the early Philadelphia Mint, and how this issue connects to other early federal silver, read the Capped Bust Half Dollar series history.