1839-O Quarter Eagle

I happen to have one of these, graded VF-35 by PCI in an old green holder. It has detail comparable to yours so I'd estimate a similar grade for details. The heavy scratches on this coin would body-bag it at most TPGs IMO and would drop it to the value of maybe a F-15 example.

Something peculiar is going on with the reverse. The olive leaves look completely detached from the stem and the bottom arrowhead is separated from the shaft. These effects might be due to overpolishing of the die. The upper arrowhead has somehow become split in two which I presume is due to post-mint damage.

My coin was struck with medallic alignment of obverse and reverse dies (180° die rotation); does your coin also have this alignment?

Is yours an 1839-O Jaobler? Mine does not have the medallic alignment, and is probably rotated about 15 degrees or so. I agree that it looks VF-35, actually even more like a VF-30. However, I've read and noticed that these are graded much more generously that similar ones from Philadelphia. Also, you are correct in saying the olive leaves are detached Jaobler. Here is an ebay example of a VF-35 in a PCGS OGH(supposedly much stricter grading)in which a detachment can also be noticed.
http://cgi.ebay.com/1839-O-2-5-GOLD...GH_W0QQitemZ350064297045QQihZ022QQcategoryZ39469QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1713.m153.l1262

Nevermind the outrageous price the seller is asking, I think mine clearly has stronger details. Mine actually looks really nice in hand, and only the 3oclock obverse scratch sticks out. I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm overly defending my coin....its just one of my favorites in my collection as well as the rarest coin I own> :-)

Do you have any pictures of yours Jaobler?

Hi Johnny,
Yes, mine is an 1839-O and is the same variety as the PCGS coin in the ebay auction. Besides the rotated die, additional diagnostics are the detached berry by "U" in UNITED and the horizontal die crack that is visible running from the back of the eagle's head to the wing. As I recall my coin has somewhat better detail in Liberty's hair than the PCGS coin.

I have it stashed in my safe deposit box; next time I get into it I'll pull that coin and try to get some photos.

The rotated die is actually pretty common for this date. I agree the asking price for that PCGS coin is nuts. If you cut it by 2/3 you might be close to a realistic value!

Wow...that's the first gold coin I've seen with a mint mark on the obverse!
I don't know about rotated dies but it appears to have been cleaned and whizzed...