Pearlescent golden hues overlay the satiny surfaces with rich indigo at the lower reverse. The strike surpasses the usual indifferent definition of this New Orleans issue, more closely resembling a Philadelphia Mint coin. The obverse dentilation is exceptionally crisp, largely unscathed by fatigue in this early die state. There is a hint of a crack at the stars at right, though there is no trace of the crack through the left constellation that becomes conspicuous very early on. Diagnostic repunching is prominent on stars 1 and 12, with most others showing some degree of revision upon scrutiny. The shield and Libertys head are handsomely delineated. Die polishing has removed much of the fine detail behind the ribbon bow on the reverse. The balance of the design elements are bold and delicately frosted.A workhorse issue, the 1839-O dime saw extensive circulation through the southern United States and was unrecognized by collectors of this early era, over five decades before A.G. Heatons 1893 Mint Marks began to popularize branch mint coinage. Despite a mintage over 20 percent greater than its Philadelphia counterpart, the 1839-O remains roughly three times scarcer in Mint State. The present superlative gem is condition census and is numerically tied with the Wolfson-Northern Bay specimen, also from the Fortin-105 dies. Both specialists and type collectors will delight in the Pogue Large O gem.