@MasonG said:
Searching "hobo" in coins on eBay, there are about 2200 sold listings. 1800 of them are under $50.
Most are probably rather crude modern carvings.
Yes, this. A local woman used to make them. She retailed them at shows for $10 each. She hand-carved them but the designs were pretty routine and uninspired.
I looked at collecting vintage hobo nickels about 15 years ago, looked at many pieces at all price points.
Bottom line is that I had to rely on the integrity of the dealer's description, which may have simply been parroting the previous owners description. At that time there was little or no way to authenticate anything as most pieces were "one offs". Perhaps that has changed now, but I doubt it.
We now seem to be in the mode of setting price points based on the "artistry" of the pieces. Sure, more complex and beautiful pieces will command higher prices. Personally, I'd rather have an old piece carved by a real hobo riding in a boxcar across the west.
And I shudder to think what might happen to this market when the China copycats decide there is a few bucks to be made carving nickels. I have zero interest in any carved nickels from China, no matter how beautiful.
Is there a business case for dealing in these pieces? Perhaps. But I won't be participating.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
@Cameonut said:
I looked at collecting vintage hobo nickels about 15 years ago, looked at many pieces at all price points.
Bottom line is that I had to rely on the integrity of the dealer's description, which may have simply been parroting the previous owners description. At that time there was little or no way to authenticate anything as most pieces were "one offs". Perhaps that has changed now, but I doubt it.
We now seem to be in the mode of setting price points based on the "artistry" of the pieces. Sure, more complex and beautiful pieces will command higher prices. Personally, I'd rather have an old piece carved by a real hobo riding in a boxcar across the west.
And I shudder to think what might happen to this market when the China copycats decide there is a few bucks to be made carving nickels. I have zero interest in any carved nickels from China, no matter how beautiful.
Is there a business case for dealing in these pieces? Perhaps. But I won't be participating.
@Swampboy said:
My only 'Hobo' nickel art is this strip.
I was told by some nice folks from the Hobo Nickel Society while at F.U.N. that this was something a carver at ANA Summer Seminar would give to a student but no one knew his name or when this might have been made.
That was made by Joe Paonessa (Badger Mint). I have one similar to that. He was my roommate at the ANA Summer Seminar one time.
The strip is a copper electrotype, made from a mold that had multiple impressions of a work-in-progress.
That's a great idea for an electrotype. Very creative application
Comments
Yes, this. A local woman used to make them. She retailed them at shows for $10 each. She hand-carved them but the designs were pretty routine and uninspired.
I've seen some Chinese copies of Saburov's work. There's probably nothing he can do about it.
I looked at collecting vintage hobo nickels about 15 years ago, looked at many pieces at all price points.
Bottom line is that I had to rely on the integrity of the dealer's description, which may have simply been parroting the previous owners description. At that time there was little or no way to authenticate anything as most pieces were "one offs". Perhaps that has changed now, but I doubt it.
We now seem to be in the mode of setting price points based on the "artistry" of the pieces. Sure, more complex and beautiful pieces will command higher prices. Personally, I'd rather have an old piece carved by a real hobo riding in a boxcar across the west.
And I shudder to think what might happen to this market when the China copycats decide there is a few bucks to be made carving nickels. I have zero interest in any carved nickels from China, no matter how beautiful.
Is there a business case for dealing in these pieces? Perhaps. But I won't be participating.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
Vast majority of hobos on ebay are fake.
They are not carved & not on real coins.
The Hobo Nickel Society will certify.
http://hobonickels.org/certification.html
Thanks for that link, I will look into it.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
Just FYI, this page on Aleksey Saburov's website lists 65 Hobo Nickels that are hand carved and are beautiful.
Jim
https://www.saburovart.com/2012
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
Happy Hobo Wednesday
That's a great idea for an electrotype. Very creative application
New week, so of course a new business idea my buddy and I were floating around today ....
I have had one of the Solo Skiffs on order for 8 months now.
The company is horribly mismanaged.
That company need to be taken over by a businessman or it needs some real competition in the USA,
Ether of which will take some deep pockets. We could sell 100 of these skiffs today and it is not even summer.
Any of you deep pockets want to take a flyer and set up shop in San Diego.
It would be super fun and most likely profitable
