Ok, so I'm no idiot. I understand that "Rank 39" means exactly that. Yet right underneath, I see a silver star, 2 gold bars, and 4 silver bars. What is that about? I assume that it may have something to do with experienced/deadly/beginner and so forth (as when you target someone), but there doesn't appear to be any rational human interpretation of these symbols in the context of the actual game. Does anyone know or is there something like some type of documentation?

Take the symbols as like "Roman Numerals"
I think it's like this
EDIT: Silver star = 25 ranks, Gold line = 5 ranks Grey line = 1 rank.

EDITED since we crossed in mid-air...
So if I try to apply Roman numerals, it doesn't quite work out. Let's assume:
silver star = roman numeral "X"
gold bar = roman numeral "V"
silver bar = roman numeral "I"
Then I would have XVVIIII which would be 34, not 39.

If I decided to go neo-Roman numerals (yes, entirely fictional) and make silver star=neo-roman numeral "B" and with a value of 25 then in this newly invented neo-roman system we have BVVIIII which would be 39. Since I have no other sources for comparison, it is difficult to show further induction.

So, GL is using a newly invented neo-Roman numeral system. Exciting! I'm curious now how the complete numbering system works. Any other sorts of weird rules or gotchas?

I do know I gain 1 silver bar when I rank up and if there are 4 silver, they get converted to gold bar

The rank "pins" are a graphical indication of your rank. You are correct that they follow a Roman numeral-like system. (You can imagine wearing a Jacket with these pins on)

Gold Star - 100
Silver Star - 25
Gold Bar - 5
Silver Bar - 1

Why the above values instead of the standard Roman Numerals? I play poker a lot, and used the same casino chip values used in Vegas... I am more familiar with that counting system

Note To Self: Never play poker with Dan.