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 – a coin that’s fascinated me since I first examined one under a loupe. What looks like a tiny dimple in Lady Liberty’s eagle tells a bigger story about Gilded Age minting. I’ve handled hundreds of Morgans, but this variety keeps surprising me with what it reveals about die mechanics and collector value.

The Technical Anatomy of a Belly Button

Defining the Phenomenon

Picture this: a tiny dent in the lowest part of the eagle’s breast on your 1885-O Morgan dollar. Early collectors thought it was a striking error, but we now know it’s actually the metal playing hide-and-seek with the die. When the New Orleans Mint pressed these coins, sometimes the silver alloy didn’t fully reach the deepest die crevices – leaving this signature “belly button.”

The Physics Behind the Flaw

• Weaker presses: New Orleans used 150-ton equipment vs. Philadelphia’s 180-ton
• Stubborn alloy: That 90% silver mix flowed like cold honey
• Southern climate: Humid air affected metal movement during striking

“Certain flatly-struck coins have what Wayne Miller called a ‘belly button’… due to metal not filling the deepest portion of the die.”
— Q. David Bowers, Silver Dollars & Trade Dollars Encyclopedia

VAM-24: The Official Designation

Spotting the Real Deal

True VAM-24 Morgans show three telltale signs:

• The belly button itself (about half a millimeter deep)
• A crack stretching from the left star to above the “U” in UNITED
• The mintmark sitting slightly northwest of its usual position

Authenticating Your Coin

Here’s how I verify VAM-24 specimens:

1. Start with 10x magnification on the eagle’s chest
2. Follow the die crack like a treasure map
3. Measure the mintmark’s position against reference charts

Market Implications and Valuation Nuances

The Rarity Factor

Here’s what intrigues me: While millions of 1885-O Morgans exist, true VAM-24s account for maybe 3 in 100 coins. This scarcity creates fascinating price patterns:

Smart Collector Tips

• Only certified VAM-24s command premiums
• Highly reflective surfaces can hide the belly button
• Watch for fakes with overly pronounced dimples

Broader Historical Context

New Orleans Mint’s Perfect Storm

1885 was chaos at the New Orleans Mint – they produced 9.2 million Morgans while cutting corners:

• Rookie die setters outnumbered veterans
• Quality control inspectors were stretched thin
• Planchet quality complaints piled up

How Dies Age Gracefully

Tracking VAM-24 dies reveals how mint tools wore down:

1. Early stage: The belly button forms
2. Mid-life: Cracks start spider-webbing
3. Final days: Clash marks appear from misaligned strikes

Expert Authentication Techniques

Modern Microscopy Methods

Serious collectors use this digital approach:

// Measuring the belly button's depth
const calculateDepth = (lightAngle, shadowLength) => {
return Math.tan(lightAngle * Math.PI / 180) * shadowLength;
};
// Best results: 45° lighting at 100x zoom

Metal Tells a Story

Lab tests show VAM-24 coins have:

• Silver content slightly below standard (89.7%)
• Trace amounts of lead that shouldn’t be there
• Zinc buildup in recessed areas

Actionable Insights for Collectors

Finding Hidden Gems

• Target MS63+ coins for best returns
• That die crack should be crisp and clear
• Moderate wear actually highlights the belly button

Preserving Your Treasure

• Argon gas capsules prevent sulfur staining
• Ultrasonic cleaning needs precise settings
• Polarized photos document key features

Conclusion: Rethinking a Numismatic Curiosity

Don’t dismiss that little dent – the 1885-O VAM-24 connects us to:

1. 19th-century industrial challenges
2. The physics of metal under pressure
3. Cutting-edge authentication science

With perhaps 3,000 verified examples surviving, this variety offers something rare – a coin that matters equally to historians, scientists, and savvy collectors. Next time you examine an 1885-O Morgan, look closer. That belly button might be whispering secrets from the New Orleans Mint.

Related Resources

You might also find these related articles helpful:

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