1934 Hobo Nickel

levinll · September 13, 2011 6:21AM

I'm not sure if I posted this in the correct forum, but can anyone shed some light on the hobo nickel ?

Obverse
Reverse

edix2001 · September 13, 2011 7:35AM

The Hobo Nickel website, a good resource

levinll · September 13, 2011 11:36AM

Already been to that site. I feel it's very poorly laid out.

LotsoLuck · September 13, 2011 11:42AM

Not for me.

Billzach1 · September 13, 2011 12:11PM

What question do you have about it.

levinll · September 14, 2011 1:24AM

is it a recently done one ? Is it rare ? Any idea who made it ?

crazyhounddog · September 14, 2011 1:27AM

It's way ugly....

ctf_error_coins · September 14, 2011 1:40AM

If you are interested in Hobo Nickels , then google Bill Zach Hobo Nickel

or go here:

Awesome Hobos

You will be very impressed.

koynekwest · September 14, 2011 2:00AM

Looks like a modern example to me. Other than that, can't say much more except that there's a ton of this stuff on ebay-most of it horribly overpriced.

levinll · September 14, 2011 2:09AM

Beauty must be in the eye of the beholder because this nickel has been bid up to $90 and there is still 9 days left to the auction.

BillJones · September 14, 2011 2:30AM

There are two histories that I’ve heard about concerning these pieces. One is that they were made during the ‘30s by itinerate artists (romantic term, hobos) who were looking to make a little money. The alternate history is that they were produced in Nazi Germany as anti-Semitic pieces. Either way, they grabbed my interest enough to own the book on them at one time, but no further.

Experts claim they can tell the difference between the pieces made back in the ‘30s and those that were made last week. I’m not sure that I can trust that.

levinll · September 14, 2011 3:18AM

I was hoping there was someone on these boards who was an expert in hobo nickels and could tell me if this piece was made in the 30-40s or last week.

ricko · September 14, 2011 3:30AM

There is an expert... possibly the leading expert, here on the boards. Bill Zach... PM him, he will help you with your issue. Cheers, RickO

Billzach1 · September 14, 2011 3:55AM

I seached my books and found this, the subject is ..George Washington [ Bo ] Hughes born in Mississippi in 1895-1900, died ???, he was a Hobo and a Hobo Nickel carver..The scan is from Delma K. Romines book. Hobo Nickels Oct 1982.. page 94..Is it old, after 15 years of carving coins I can,t always tell by looking at a picture..I hope this helps you.

DorkGirl · September 14, 2011 4:22AM

Very cool Bill.

levinll · September 14, 2011 4:54AM

Thanks Bill !

johnny9434 · September 14, 2011 5:00AM

that hobo is kinda fugly looking. jmo

Dentuck · September 14, 2011 5:19AM

Neat piece! The hair is detailed in an unusual way --- first time I've seen that style, I think, especially with a goatee! The ear, too, is finely detailed. I like it.

koynekwest · September 14, 2011 5:30AM

<< <i>There is an expert... possibly the leading expert, here on the boards. Bill Zach... PM him, he will help you with your issue. Cheers, RickO >>

Bill Fivaz also knows quite a bit about these.

ricko · September 14, 2011 11:40PM

Yes... Bill Fivaz also is an expert... was not excluding him, just since Bill Zach had already responded, I referenced his name. Interesting piece, and with the information posted by Bill Z., I think an examination by an expert may be in order. If it is authentic, it is quite valuable. Cheers, RickO

astrorat · September 14, 2011 11:56PM

Take the "romantic" history of the hobo nickels with a grain of salt. There was a lot of early promotion surrounding the "original" pieces which is more folklore than truth. Regardless, some of the "original" pieces are quite nice and command a large premium because of their "history." The modern artists can do an incredible job with that tiny, copper-nickel canvas. Ron Landis and Bill Zach are my favorites. The OHNS is a very active club and THE place to learn more about Hobo Nickels.

levinll · September 15, 2011 12:22AM

It's being sent to the other side of the street for authentication.

Tdec1000 · September 15, 2011 12:27AM

I didnt know that ATS slabbed/Authenticated these.

levinll · September 15, 2011 12:32AM

Just contacted NGC and they do not authenticate hobo nickels in regards to who designed it.

I don't feel comfortable advertising this nickel as a "BO" one without an expert backing up their opinion in writing.

edix2001 · September 15, 2011 12:45AM

The Original Hobo Nickel Society has a Quality Designation service. Some skilled folks like Bill Fivaz will look at the piece and offer informed opinions as to its various qualities:
http://hobonickels.org/qd.htm

ricko · September 15, 2011 12:46AM

Then get it to the Hobo Nickel Society... (either one of the 'Bills').... they should be able to authenticate it for you. Cheers, RickO

astrorat · September 15, 2011 12:50AM

<< <i>Just contacted NGC and they do not authenticate hobo nickels in regards to who designed it.

I don't feel comfortable advertising this nickel as a "BO" one without an expert backing up their opinion in writing. >>

Of course NGC won't ... no TPG will. Even if the "experts" claim it was done by "BO" or "BERT" it doesn't mean it was actually done by him. It just means it is consistent with "their" style.

Shamika · September 15, 2011 1:30AM

<< <i>I seached my books and found this, the subject is ..George Washington [ Bo ] Hughes born in Mississippi in 1895-1900, died ???, he was a Hobo and a Hobo Nickel carver..The scan is from Delma K. Romines book. Hobo Nickels Oct 1982.. page 94..Is it old, after 15 years of carving coins I can,t always tell by looking at a picture..I hope this helps you. >>

The piece in question does not look like those done by Bo. Although the nose and ear are similar, the hair is not as curly and the collar is cut differently. Furthermore, the examples shown in the link above have LIBERTY cut completely away or nearly so while the example shown by the OP has a full LIBERTY.

Based on all of these images, I'm thinking this is an example made to look like a piece done by Bo.

Shamika · September 15, 2011 1:31AM

<< <i>Already been to that site. I feel it's very poorly laid out. >>

I think the site could be organized a bit better as well.

Billzach1 · September 15, 2011 2:07AM

The o.h.n.s. designation service is the only place I know that can give you a answer as to being original or modern, but they will only state 'probable artist'..On a side note, they are a super nice society, Hobo nickels collecting would probably have died out if not for them, if you have a interest in Hobo Nickels you need to join.

levinll · September 15, 2011 3:52AM

All packaged up and ready to go.

1934 Hobo Nickel

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