Hobo Nickels- Period or Modern?

cmerlo1

My favorite B&M, McBride's, is closing for good at the end of this month. Considering this was where @shortnock and I hang out every Saturday morning, this is a sad time (though I think for Joan, the owner, it's a happy time as she finally gets to retire after talking about it for years!).

In the process of cleaning everything out, she found the below 4 hobo nickels. I had been asked if I thought they were authentic period pieces years ago, but don't know enough about them to answer and assumed she'd sold them. She's shown them to several others who might know, and got the same response.

I'm hoping to get opionions here as to authenticy, as that will determine what we do them them next. All are on older, nicer nickels, which I heard is one possible factor in determining authenticy. What say you? I can post bigger images if needed.

Hobo #1 1916, XF:

Hobo #2 1916:

Hobo #3 N/D S Mint:

Hobo #4 1913-D Type 1 XF:

Thanks as always for your help! Joan and Sheila from McBride's thank you as well!

MWallace

In my opinion, 1, 3 and 4 are original Hobo Nickels. Number 2 is a modern piece.

OnWithTheHunt

I think 3 is the modern version, just based on the fact that the coin is dateless and heavily worn on reverse, indicating a later carving. All others have full horns and/or early dates. 2 also shows a higher degree of skill by the carver. Thats my 2 cents worth, or 5 cents if you prefer.

JBK

@OnWithTheHunt said:
I think 3 is the modern version, just based on the fact that the coin is dateless and heavily worn on reverse, indicating a later carving. All others have full horns and/or early dates. 2 also shows a higher degree of skill by the carver. Thats my 2 cents worth, or 5 cents if you prefer.

You might well be correct, but based on the heavy details removal (feathers, hair, LIBERTY) I assumed the date was possibly removed along with it.

shortnock

Mighty fine meetups and 'picking at McBrides. They don't make coin shops like that anymore. Bittersweet memories. Sure will miss them.

OnWithTheHunt

@JBK said:

@OnWithTheHunt said:
I think 3 is the modern version, just based on the fact that the coin is dateless and heavily worn on reverse, indicating a later carving. All others have full horns and/or early dates. 2 also shows a higher degree of skill by the carver. Thats my 2 cents worth, or 5 cents if you prefer.

You might well be correct, but based in the heavy details removal (feathers, hair, LIBERTY) I assumed the date was possibly removed along with it.

Hadn't considered that, but I still think 2 is legit.

CaptHenway

I like #2. #1 has a good chance of being OK. #3 & 4. Modern.

MWallace

@OnWithTheHunt said:

@JBK said:

@OnWithTheHunt said:
I think 3 is the modern version, just based on the fact that the coin is dateless and heavily worn on reverse, indicating a later carving. All others have full horns and/or early dates. 2 also shows a higher degree of skill by the carver. Thats my 2 cents worth, or 5 cents if you prefer.

You might well be correct, but based in the heavy details removal (feathers, hair, LIBERTY) I assumed the date was possibly removed along with it.

Hadn't considered that, but I still think 2 is legit.

And the reverse wear could be due to being carried as a pocket piece. Also, if I remember correctly, original Hobo Nickels were carved into the 1950's.

Namvet69

@cmerlo1 Are they offering their coin inventory online?

cmerlo1

@Namvet69 said:
@cmerlo1 Are they offering their coin inventory online?

No, most of it has already been sold to local dealers. They're open untill the end of the month.

291fifth

1 looks real. #2 looks like a modern piece that was done on a damaged but high details grade coin. #3 may have been done in the 1930s but has little appeal due to wear and poor style. #4 is on a coin that could have been found in circulation in the 1930's but is so crude as to have little appeal regardless of when it was made.

rte592

@MWallace said:
In my opinion, 1, 3 and 4 are original Hobo Nickels. Number 2 is a modern piece.

Dang I have no idea, but I like #2 better than the rest.

johnny9434

Keep that pic, ya got a good memory there 😉

ScarsdaleCoin

I like those hobos. If available I would be a buyer

ChrisH821

Whoever made #2 has a lot of talent.

cmerlo1

@ScarsdaleCoin said:
I like those hobos. If available I would be a buyer

PM sent.

Onastone

The last photo definitely has three modern Hobos.

hobo49

I have collected and studied hobo nickels for over 30 years, From the phots I would say 1,3 and 4 are Period/Classic hobo nickels. #2 looks like a cast piece. The reverse is common on cast copies. It has been paired with different cast obverses. It is likely to have a seam along the center of the edge where the two halves were splice together.

rte592

@hobo49 said:
I have collected and studied hobo nickels for over 30 years, From the phots I would say 1,3 and 4 are Period/Classic hobo nickels. #2 looks like a cast piece. The reverse is common on cast copies. It has been paired with different cast obverses. It is likely to have a seam along the center of the edge where the two halves were splice together.

Now that you mentioned it, the ruff rim does look cast.
Without having it in hand to check metal content, it's hard to say.

OnWithTheHunt

@hobo49 said:
I have collected and studied hobo nickels for over 30 years, From the phots I would say 1,3 and 4 are Period/Classic hobo nickels. #2 looks like a cast piece. The reverse is common on cast copies. It has been paired with different cast obverses. It is likely to have a seam along the center of the edge where the two halves were splice together.

Thank you for this information. I have to correct my opinion on #2. As a new member of OHNS I only recently became aware of cast copies of original hobos. #2 exhibits the same kind of edge damage that's on a cast copy I unknowingly purchased on ebay where the obverse and reverse halves were joined to a metal core. An photo of of the edge, had it been available, would have revealed the deception. Luckily my education only cost me $25.