Hobo Help!

Hobosapian · September 25, 2015 1:25PM

Hey gang! I am going to share a small part of my collection in the hopes that someone may have the final coins I need to finish it up. I am collecting an old original hobo nickel collection by date and mint mark. If anyone happens to have an average or better date I need, I am a fish! Any help is appreciated!

jclovescoins · September 25, 2015 1:31PM

That is an AMAZING collection. Very nice!

Hobosapian · September 25, 2015 1:34PM

Thank you! This is just the start of my hobo nickel collection.

In fact, most of my "good" coins aren't in the date and mint mark collection. Perhaps I'll share more after the thread has had more time.

Chris

TigersFan2 · September 25, 2015 1:40PM

Wow!

Christos · September 25, 2015 1:54PM

Don't forget to put a wanted listing in the BST

Hobosapian · September 25, 2015 1:55PM

Good idea. Thanks for the heads up!

RKKay · September 25, 2015 2:02PM

Sorry. I can't help, but that is a spectacular set.

Broadstruck · September 25, 2015 2:26PM

Very cool endeavor... Craving a can of baked beans after seeing this

steveben · September 25, 2015 2:29PM

there are some really nice ones in that set. congrats!

savoyspecial · September 25, 2015 2:37PM

Coolest thing I've seen on here in a long while

Christos · September 25, 2015 2:47PM

Are these Coalburns? I ask because of the look. Do you only want to stay with this look or are the newer hobo nics ok also?

jayPem · September 25, 2015 2:58PM

For once, thanks for the giant pics !
Really liked being able to zoom in on each coin , what a great endeavor . Good luck !

Meltdown · September 25, 2015 2:59PM

IMPRESSIVE Set of hobos!!

Hobosapian · September 25, 2015 3:13PM

These are all old ones. While I do have a few Museum Quality Moderns, I primarily just collect the old ones. With that said, to my knowledge only Norm Talbert had completed a hobo nickel date and mint mark set, but he filled in about half the dates with modern carvings. I am trying to be the first to finish a set using exclusively old carvings. As you can see, I am not too far off.

Even with all the money in the world, you still can't finish a set like this. It takes lots of time left on this earth, and lots of persistence. The money helps too. HA!

BryceM · September 25, 2015 3:20PM

Wow!!!!!

That's an outstanding set.

nwcoast · September 25, 2015 3:29PM

WOW!!
What a huge challenge you've take on, and put a considerable dent into it!
Super

Hobosapian · September 25, 2015 3:31PM

I've been working on it for about 8 years, aggressively. I have over 200 pretty nice old ones, but I still can't find these last few dates I need despite scouring private collections, auctions, and the internet. Thank you for the compliments! If I can buy one date I need as a result of this thread, I'll be thrilled!!

lordmarcovan · September 25, 2015 4:28PM

What a crazy-cool collection! I love the concept!

I played with a date set of Love Token Seated Dimes for a while, though in my case, it was merely a one-a-year date set, rather than by date AND mintmark, as you're doing it.

That's a very ambitious and challenging set you've taken on, but I see you've already crossed many of the major hurdles.

lasvegasteddy · September 25, 2015 4:45PM

stunning and how cool is this
best wishes on completing this too

ricko · September 25, 2015 11:00PM

Amazing set..... the 1913 SV1 should be named Jimmy Durante....... congratulations on an awesome collection....Cheers, RickO

duck620 · September 25, 2015 11:07PM

"WOW"!..Lost for words.First Hobo collection I've seen that intence & beautiful.

Thanks for sharing.

CaptHenway · September 25, 2015 11:23PM

Quite a Bo-dacious set!

grip · September 25, 2015 11:24PM

Great post Hobosapian..Thanks.

Booger9989 · September 26, 2015 12:57AM

I use to buy these as a kid but sold most of them as I got older. Looking at tour set brings back so good memories. Love the sets you and and wish you luck completing it. SUPER COOL!!!! Thanks for sharing. .

Gemini · September 26, 2015 3:25AM

Very nice! reading Del Romines Hobo Nickel book really got me interested in these pieces and other hobo made items as as well such neat Americana!
My Dad told me stories of when he rode the rails during the Depression so I find those times very appealing. Unfortunately he never carved any nickels.

AUandAG · September 26, 2015 4:13AM

I have never owned a hobo and yours are fun to view. Do you know the names of any of the
carvers?

bob

OnWithTheHunt · September 26, 2015 4:26AM

What an incredible set. Look forward to seeing more of your hobos.

winky · September 26, 2015 4:45AM

I'm stunned!!! How wonderful.

silverpop · September 26, 2015 5:18AM

keyman64 · September 26, 2015 5:29AM

As others have said, I am also unable to assist. But holy cow man!
That is impressive!!! Putting a nice set together can be challenging
enough but doing it like that seems to take it to the near impossible
realm and yet you are pretty close. Congrats with your progress
and good luck on the completion! A completed set would have the
potential to win an award as a display at a big show I would imagine.
Have the HOBO collectors group/society (can't recall what they are
called) seen this?

numisma · September 26, 2015 5:55AM

AMAZING!!!

The funny thing is that I was going to send you a PM to see if you knew of Chris Dempsey, but then I read your sig line! You ARE Chris Dempsey, which explains a lot about your amazing set. Congrats.

Hobosapian · September 26, 2015 6:31AM

AUandAG, I only know the names of a few. The obvious ones are Bertram Weigand and "Bo" Hughes, who supposedly started carving back in the teens. Whether or not that is true, who knows. There are two other known carvers from their period. One is William Kopman, who was a carver from the Cleveland and Buffalo areas in the 1920's and 1930's. He was a jeweler and engraver, probably not a hobo, who seemingly didn't carve many. In fact, only two pieces of his work are known, one of which is in my collection. The other is another Gentleman named William Sharples who was also an engraver from the 1920's and 1930's.

Hobosapian · September 26, 2015 6:34AM

Keyman64, I will likely put it on display when I finish the date and mint mark set. I have far too many coins to put on display, but I bring it to many shows for educational purposes, as well as a little bit of advertisement that I buy them.

I am friends with nearly all of the Board members of the Original Hobo Society, and I am a non-voting (and I like it that way, hehe) Board Member, as the webmaster for the OHNS. I am one of a handful of prominent collectors in this area, and I hold the record for highest price ever paid for a hobo. In other words, I am probably on their radar.

Hobosapian · September 26, 2015 6:38AM

numisma, I do know Chris Dempsey, and I see him often.

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Hobosapian · September 26, 2015 6:39AM

Here's a few other pages for your entertainment.

topstuf · September 26, 2015 8:43AM

I like the 1928 "potty" one.

Hobosapian · September 26, 2015 9:56AM

That's one of my favorites.

joeykoins · September 26, 2015 11:14AM

Nice and clever, dude! A one in a million set. Maybe, the only one out there?

OldEastside · September 27, 2015 3:01AM

WOW AGAIN

Steve

Hobosapian · September 27, 2015 12:38PM

The date and mint mark set is one of only a few attempted, to my knowledge. I am closer to completing it than anyone before me. I probably have around 30 years or so left on this earth to finish it. Admittedly, I would rather not wait that long.

fcloud · September 27, 2015 12:41PM

amazing!

Hobo Help!

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