Here's a VF30 single leaf from CoinFacts for comparison. The Coinfacts one has less obverse dentil detail, which makes me think mine is a 109, but the reverse on the Coinfacts example appears to be a slightly earlier die state than mine, which makes me think I have the 109a, single leaf. I'm so confused!
You can see the discussion here for opinions from extremely knowledgeable folk: http://coinzip.proboards.com/thread/1452/1813-109a-r5-single-leaf There seem to be 2 things required to be considered an O-109a - a prominent die crack around the stars of the obverse (which yours shows), and a late die state on the reverse where only one leaf shows from the upper leaf pair. Your coin clearly and distinctly shows the die crack, and I only see one leaf in your pictures. So yes, I'd consider your coin an O-109a. This is a rare, R-5, bust half die state - congrats!
What an exciting night this just became! If it is, then it's the first time I've ever cherried one. Still, looking forward to other opinions. So tough to make the call on this one... IMO this is one of the toughest to nail down because it's really a die state call, not a different die pairing.
It appears like it has a good shot. Ever since the VF sold for $5000, peaople have been scrambling to find these. Many more have surfaced, and the prices have decreased substantially. This one looks misattributed. I know a guy who sent one in with an even later die state than yours (AMERICA had been lapped away) and PCGS said is was O-109. Maybe they don’t know what they are doing?
The link above has conversation that includes folks that accept that the top tip of the leaf is ok, but the side leaf cannot be there. So your top circle would not apply... but that's contrary to what I thought as early as a couple months ago. So i don't know. It seems like the 109a is all on the whim of PCGS.
Just a distinct that wasn't spoke about in this thread yet, unless I didn't do my homework. The weakness of the eagle is quite concerning.
From the pics it looks real close, but I think that I see the outline of the other leaf--might be my imagination, though. Probably worth taking the chance with a TPG.
Appears to have been struck after the OP coin---mis-attributed as the 109 prime. I think it is clearly the "A" die state.
