Looks like a cool carved Hobo nickel, is it special in some way?
GoBust
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Description,
Seems someone knows something about this cool HOBO nickel, George Washington “Bo” Hughes ???? I've heard some of these are considered folk art of sorts. Outside of my personal expertise, but interesting.
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Coin was removed!
Coin is still there. The link just has an extra square bracket. Here's a working link:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/202085236638
It's currently at $587.00 with 4d 17h to go.
Nice hobo but I don't get the price based solely on these pics.
On the 2x2 there is something crossed out, likely the price and it does not appear to be anywhere near as large as the bids. This was in a dealer's case for far less at one time, it appears.
The market foundation for "original" hobo nickels has always mystified me. I understand purchasing modern carved "hobo" nickels as pieces of art, but the pricing for those that are deemed "original" baffles me. [That's not an insult to those pieces ... however they are defined, just a comment on the market.]
See http://www.doubledimes.com for a free online reference for US twenty-cent pieces
I might almost understand a strong market for early pieces, but without obvious evidence (that I don't see here, but I am no expert), I don't see how you jump from 25 bucks or less for an aversge modern one to several hundred one for a decent one with ink added to the carving.
As with all collecting, knowledge is power. There are folks who have studied these pieces and formed a club. Some obvious things I can tell you based on VERY LITTLE KNOWLEDGE and looking at these things closely:
There are other things to look for - using high magnification, you may figure out some possible clues; but these three cannot be refuted.
Another I just thought of: Many of these pieces BOTH OLD AND NEW are "artistic gems."
I was told that the modern tools leave different marks but never had a chance to compare the two side by side.
Just as paintings by the 'Old Master's command high prices, so do original hobo nickels. The mystique attached to them, being carved in an old railroad car or lot by a fire with beans cooking, adds a special aura to such gems. Also, as mentioned above, being done with rudimentary tools in such conditions speaks to the effort entailed. Cheers, RickO