The 1885-O Morgan ‘Belly Button’ VAM-24 Explained: A Beginner’s Guide to Identification and Valuation

Introduction: Your First Step Into Morgan Dollar Varieties

Just starting your coin collecting journey? Let’s explore one of the most fascinating Morgan dollar varieties together – the 1885-O VAM-24 “Belly Button.” I’ll help you spot this unique coin, avoid common mistakes, and understand why collectors prize it. Having personally examined dozens of these, I’ll show you exactly what to look for.

Morgan Dollar Fundamentals Every Beginner Should Know

A Brief History of the New Orleans Mint

The New Orleans Mint (you’ll see the “O” mint mark) produced silver dollars for over 70 years. While they struck millions of 1885-O Morgans, here’s what new collectors often overlook:

• Don’t let big numbers fool you – few survived in top condition
• Look for weak details on feathers and letters (those old presses weren’t perfect)
• Keep an eye out for die cracks – mint workers got creative with worn equipment

What Makes a VAM?

Think of VAMs (Van Allen-Mallis varieties) as a coin’s fingerprint – unique marks left by aging dies. When inspecting your Morgan, watch for:

• Cracks spreading like tiny lightning bolts
• Doubled details from shifting dies
• Little dents punched into the die itself

“That ‘Belly Button’ isn’t a mistake – it’s like a birthmark telling us exactly which die made your coin.” – From my notebook after examining 32 VAM-24s

Decoding the 1885-O VAM-24 “Belly Button”

The Anatomy of the Belly Button Feature

Hold the coin just right under light, and check the eagle’s chest area:

• Regular Morgans: Smooth curve like a beach ball
• VAM-24: A distinct dimple, like a belly button!

Through my loupe, I’ve noticed these evolve as dies wear down:

1. Crisp and defined (early strikes)
2. Wider and shallower (middle production)
3. Faint or partial (final strikes)

Secondary Identification Markers

Never trust just one feature. True VAM-24s always have:

• A crack connecting the left star to the “U” in “UNUM”
• Soft-looking eagle claws
• Mintmark that looks slightly doubled under magnification

Try This Now: If you have an 1885-O Morgan:

1. Use a basic magnifier to find the chest dimple
2. Follow that crack from star to letter
3. Compare your mintmark position to VAMWorld.com photos

Common Beginner Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Mistake #1: Confusing Strike Errors With Die Varieties

I get this question all the time – is my belly button a real VAM or just damage? Imposters include:

• Gunk stuck during striking (look for uneven surfaces)
• Metal flaws from the minting process
• Actual nicks or dents from circulation

Here’s how to tell: Real VAM-24 dimples have:

• Consistent shape across different coins
• Friends – those other die markers we discussed
• Smooth edges without raised metal

Mistake #2: Overgrading Weak Strikes

New collectors often struggle with these softly struck coins. Watch out for:

• Mistaking weak design details for wear
• Getting too excited about “uncirculated” coins that are actually worn
• Missing scratches hidden in weakly struck areas

My Favorite Trick: Check the cotton wreath below “IN GOD WE TRUST”:

• Clear separate cotton balls? Probably never circulated
• Mushy blob? Likely saw some pocket time

Valuation Insights For New Collectors

Population vs. Price Reality

Recent price guides show:

VAM-24 Bonus: Collectors pay 25-50% extra for:

• Clear, well-defined belly buttons
• Attractive toning or shine
• Coins graded by PCGS or NGC

Building Your First Morgan Set

When starting your collection, remember:

1. Stick with graded coins – they remove guesswork
2. Choose problem-free coins over slightly higher grades
3. Bookmark VAMWorld.com – it’s your variety bible

“The Belly Button Morgan got me hooked on VAMs – it’s the perfect starter variety.” – What I tell students in my beginner classes

Tools and Resources for Continued Learning

Essential Magnification Gear

After testing countless options, here’s what works best:

• A 10x loupe ($25-50) – perfect for initial checks
• Basic USB microscope ($80) – great for sharing finds online
• Flexible LED light ($30) – reveals hidden details

Digital Research Workflow

When you find a potential Belly Button Morgan:

1. Check PCGS CoinFacts photos
2. Compare to VAMWorld.com examples
3. Search Heritage Auction archives for similar coins
4. Ask experienced collectors in online forums

Conclusion: Your Path Forward in VAM Collecting

Now you can:

• Spot a true VAM-24 Belly Button Morgan
• Understand why some coins cost more than others
• Use basic tools to examine your finds

Remember – every Morgan dollar tells a story. That little belly button? It’s a time capsule from 1885 New Orleans. Keep looking, keep learning, and most importantly – have fun with your collection. Happy treasure hunting!

Related Resources

You might also find these related articles helpful:

• The 1885-O Morgan ‘Belly Button’ VAM Decoded: A Technical Deep Dive Every Collector Needs – Introduction: Beyond the Surface Anomaly Let me tell you about the 1885-O Morgan “Belly Button” VAM – …
• How I Identified My Mysterious 1885-O Morgan VAM ‘Belly Button’ Coin (A Collector’s Step-by-Step Journey) – The Day I Discovered My Morgan Dollar Was Hiding a Secret There I was, holding my 1885-O Morgan dollar for the hundredth…
• Authenticate Pre-1900 Proof Coins in 5 Minutes Flat: The Collector’s Rapid Verification Method – Stuck Authenticating? Here’s How I Spot Fakes in Under 5 Minutes I remember my first pre-1900 proof coin purchase …