1909 Half Eagle-D Or O?

Thanks for all the input guys! One more question for the group. Since ANACS has already certified it as a D, which I'm seriously beginning to doubt in light of opinions of those on the forum and other collectors I know, should I try another TPG? And if so, which one? I was thinking about giving DGS a try, or maybe NGC or PCGS. My local dealer who is also a dear friend, has direct submission to both. I've never been a fan of PCGS, but in light of my recent experience with ANACS on this, I'd definitely be willing to give them a shot if they're good at Indian $5s.

How interesting. I had a similar quandry several years ago, though my example was more worn than yours. Anyways, I decided that it was a D( It was actually purchased as a 1909 P), but I'm not entirely sure either. Here is a link to the thread in cointalk that disussed it, and there is other relative information regarding these coins:
http://www.cointalk.com/forum/t36031-2/

I thought I had a thread here too, but I couldn't find it.

I have to admit a little curiosity as to why this discussion is going so deep - there's nothing at question here that a 10x loupe won't answer immediately.

Dave,

Based on your first two quoted statements given the bracketed statement "(heaven knows there's enough incentive)", I was little confused as to really which way you were leaning! I am sorry but it just seemed in the first, that you were saying genuine and the second, you were hedging on the that but still saying that you stood by your original statement. Maybe I am reading too much into them!


Frank

What I see in the pic looks to me like a New Orleans mint mark. I wouldn't decide based on that one pic, but if you held a gun to my head I'd call it an "O." Trouble is, I don't think I'd attribute this one even from pics I took myself.

If it's a New Orleans coin, it is far too valuable to be making these decisions based on small pics posted on ebay. However, the original poster can settle the issue for good with 5 minutes and a $10 loupe, and I'm just feeling a little frustration that we've spent two threads discussing a question so easily answered.

Although I've heard the same stories about occasional mistakes from ANACS as well as the other TPG's, ANACS seems to be the best of the bunch when it comes to making things right. Your preference is, of course, most important here - and PCGS would be the best if resale is on your list of possibilities - but if your plan is to hold the coin, I might consider giving ANACS the chance to take care of you. It'll cost a lot less.

This reminds me almost exactly of my 1909-DO ordeal I went through....and I basically came to the same conclusion that you did. Kind of funny actually..lol. I ended up selling mine as a D, but I was never fully convinced.

I'm sadly pretty convinced with mine. It's a D. But I'm going to make the best of it. I'm thinking of trading it towards an 1889-CC Morgan. At least there's no question with that one.