Why Are There No Jefferson Hobo Nickels?
BuffaloIronTail
Posts: 7,578 ✭✭✭✭✭
If ya got one, show it. If not, state your peace.
Pete
"I tell them there's no problems.....only solutions" - John Lennon
0
Comments
I've seen a few but I don't have any.
Because the Buffalo Nickel is the cream of the crop when it comes to the Hobo Nickel
That sounds like the chicken and the egg. If there were a lot of Jefferson Hobo nickels, but very few Buffalos, the Jeffersons might be the cream of the crop.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
I have seen several "carved" Jefferson Nickels...more of a modern artistry.
https://www.google.com/search?q=jefferson+carved+nickels&prmd=sinv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjRz9qQ48DnAhUS16wKHbuWCDgQ_AUoAnoECA8QAg&biw=360&bih=572&dpr=3
BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
I think the much larger relative size of the Indian head lends itself much better to alterations. The same can be said to a lesser degree about the bison.
__A hobo nickel is carved as opposed to engraved. Little by little metal is shaved away or mounded to create a miniature bas relief sculpture. Historically these coins were made by hoboes, itinerant workers, who often traveled by hopping freight trains. The hobo's tools were primitive and consisted of awls, nails, pocket knives, a small hammer, screwdrivers, and even found pieces of metal which were manipulated into makeshift tools. A metal "punch" was also hammered into the coin to create a divot for an eye, an expanded nostril, or texture for hair.
The Buffalo nickel is the trademark host coin for the hobo nickel. An early date high grade coin may help date or identify an artist but collectors are most interested in the carving quality. Desirable attributes include: deep carving, unusual subjects, altered facial features, raised or pushed metal (often a hat brim), and well smoothed fields. While the date is not that important, it is preferable to have the date and/or "LIBERTY" retained in the design.
The Buffalo nickel was available and circulating during the great depression. The large Indian head, with its fairly high relief, gave the craftsmen a lot of area to work with. The coin was a low enough denomination and not precious metal so it was affordable. There are a few period examples done on Indian cents and wheat cents but they are seldom encountered. Some still consider them hobo nickel art even though they are not actually on nickels.
Using primitive homemade tools, the hobo craftsmen re-carved the Indian. The most frequent theme is a man in a derby hat but there were also clowns, Rabbis, soldiers, other Indians, even women, and more. Occasionally hoboes carved the reverse and on rare occurrences made two-sided carvings. Original reverse carved themes include a turtle, donkey, box car, and miniature men. Reverse carvings are far less common than the obverse portraits.__
hobonickels.org/what_is.html
There are no more Hobo's either.....and homeless nickels are not as romantic sounding.
Not mine but they are out there
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
After checking out the link that @oih82w8 posted ... l know longer feel that the Buffalo Nickel is the cream of the crop.
@barndog: Thanks for the info.
@1630Boston : The original Hobos would like those "Jeffbo" nickels.
Pete
I think you coined a new term Jeffbo nickels.
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
In my high school years, I looked for hobo nickels....there were still two hobo camps along the tracks that would be occupied in the warmer months...Never found one, I guess the hobo's then were not the artistic type... or the talented one's were in Woodstock (a few miles up the road)....
Cheers, RickO
I've got a couple of crude renditions. The '76 is pretty creepy, and I find the pumpkin charming.
My Eisenhower Dollar Complete Variety Set, Circulation Strikes and Proof (PCGS Registry):
https://www.PCGS.com/SetRegistry/dollars/eisenhower-dollars-specialty-sets/eisenhower-dollars-complete-variety-set-circulation-strikes-proof-1971-1978/publishedset/119137
Darth Morgan - "The Other Ike Dollars" Showcase: https://www.PCGS.com/setregistry/showcase/3354
The Eisenhower Dollar Meeting Room: https://www.facebook.com/groups/933585237044733