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Hobo nickel experts- Is this the real deal?

cmerlo1cmerlo1 Posts: 7,960 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
Village Coin here in Austin has been giving me lots of coins for my website, and the other day he handed me a ziploc bag full of mint errors, love tokens, and damaged coins. This is one of the coins that was there. I've seen a lot of the modern-made hobo nickels, and this one doesn't look like them- it seems a lot more crudely done. It also looks to have circulated after it was carved. Is this one a 'genuine' period hobo nickel? Thanks as always...

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You Suck! Awarded 6/2008- 1901-O Micro O Morgan, 8/2008- 1878 VAM-123 Morgan, 9/2022 1888-O VAM-1B3 H8 Morgan | Senior Regional Representative- ANACS Coin Grading. Posted opinions on coins are my own, and are not an official ANACS opinion.

Comments

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I do not claim expert qualifications.. not even close...but looking at that, I would say it is more likely a modern effort. We have a resident expert... I am sure he will chime in shortly. Cheers, RickO
  • commoncents05commoncents05 Posts: 10,096 ✭✭✭
    Even if it is vintage, it is so crudely done, I don't think it would command a very high price. Here is an example that my uncle gave me years ago that I'm sure it is of the period.

    -Paul

    image
    Many Quality coins for sale at http://www.CommonCentsRareCoins.com
  • roadrunnerroadrunner Posts: 28,313 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The first one looks like it was done at the McHobo drive through window. Don't see much there.

    Some of the old hand carved pieces are truly amazing. Next tier are the more modern and mass produced machine carved pieces.
    Barbarous Relic No More, LSCC -GoldSeek--shadow stats--SafeHaven--321gold
  • AMRCAMRC Posts: 4,280 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Anyone that can tell you they can tell the difference between a classic period coin and a modern one has little appreciation of artistic ability. I know of at least one modern sculptor of these that can make them look exactly like they came from the same time period as the known originals. I am sure some would argue, but that's my story and I am sticking to it. image

    It's all fun though.
    MLAeBayNumismatics: "The greatest hobby in the world!"
  • cmerlo1cmerlo1 Posts: 7,960 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>The first one looks like it was done at the McHobo drive through window. >>

    image



    Thanks everyone! Much appreciated. Back into the ziploc it goes...
    You Suck! Awarded 6/2008- 1901-O Micro O Morgan, 8/2008- 1878 VAM-123 Morgan, 9/2022 1888-O VAM-1B3 H8 Morgan | Senior Regional Representative- ANACS Coin Grading. Posted opinions on coins are my own, and are not an official ANACS opinion.
  • DaveGDaveG Posts: 3,535 ✭
    I've been told that one of the signs of a contemporary Hobo Nickel is the use of a fairly high-grade (say, XF) host coin.

    Check out the Southern Gold Society

  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 32,768 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I've been told that one of the signs of a contemporary Hobo Nickel is the use of a fairly high-grade (say, XF) host coin. >>



    Agreed. I don't like either piece as being vintage.
    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.

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