Flea market find - original Hobo Nickel
seanq
Posts: 8,743 ✭✭✭✭✭
Before I show off today's flea market find, I will share a coin hunting little tip. If you like "weird" stuff, always flip through to the very last page of any binders, as I have found that is often where dealers will stick coins that are unique or hard to categorize. And that is where this morning, next to a few poorly attributed "double dates" and modern counterstamps, I found this wonderful hobo nickel.
I normally do not collect these, but in looking it over everything about it from the carving style to the early date told me it was period correct. A little research this evening tells me it was likely carved by "Sharp Ear," and I found a similar (but two-sided) example on Heritage here. The Heritage catalog says most Sharp Ear coins are on 1913 type 1 nickels, but this one is on a type 2 with a nicely rotated reverse.
Are there any Hobo Nickel Society members here who know if there a census being maintained by carver, as this one seems interesting enough to warrant reporting.
Sean Reynolds
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor
Comments
No idea on the creator of this piece, but it is very cool. Never thought to flip to the back of the binders....will now. Don't see many coins in the flea markets around here (or flea markets, for that matter), but I do browse antique shops (esp... the ones with multiple booths by multiple people) and pawn shops from time to time.
The only one I ever had was one I found in a circ role of buffs 20-some years ago that came from an estate of long retired dealer.
I traded it a FUN show for $50 credit towards a 26D in AU that I needed for my album. As my cost basis was 50 cents it was basically found money.
Great original piece and fun find !
Nice find. I have collected hobo nickels for nearly 30 years. There are a fair number of Sharp Ear Carvings, some have no bow tie. The double-sided Sharp Ears are much scarcer. I have seen two or three examples over the years.