The original hobo nickel society public group facebook. Nov 07, 2000 hobo nickels, once common during the depression era, are now a numismatic rarity, making them one of the most soughtafter coin varieties. While many types of coins were used to create these pieces of art, nickels were especially favored for use because of their size, thickness, and moderate softness. The most common type of hobo nickel is the standard design depicting a bearded man wearing a derby. One of the things you pretty much have to do when you engrave is a hobo nickel or two. Nickels are commonly used but just about every coin has been carved at some point or another. The purpose, methods of creation, and the components. Spine creases, wear to binding and pages from reading. When i was a kid, i was intrigued with indian head nickels. Ive always thought there was something authentically american about them. The second is the intermediate or transitional period following the publication of romines book in 1982 and his preceding articles in coin world in 1981, which alpert refers to as the time of the early modern artists. By john schippcarved on full horn 1937 buffalo nickel im beginning a one hobo a day challenge. Nickels are commonly used but just about every coin has been carved at some point or another source and how its made continue this thread. Hobo nickels can be found at all price levels antique trader.
A new brochure issued by the original hobo nickel society ohns sheds. My hobo nickels gallery 1 in 2007 i took up hand engraving. A hobo nickel is an artistically altered buffalo, or indian head nickel. Just when i thought the indian head ring couldnt be cooler, i found a talented engraver who could craft hobo nickels for me. The nickel, because of its size, thickness, and relative softness, was a favored coin for. Here are some pointers to discover real hobo nickels. Buffalo nickels coin experts share littleknown facts about.
Bo and bert are by far the best known of the original hobo nickel makers, and their lives are chronicled in detail in the two books by del romines. So, when it was discovered that buffalo nickels from 191938 had soft enough metal and a high enough relief to carve with anything sharp, a new art form and quick cash source was born. Hobo nickels, the creative and illegal modification of our nations legal tender, might be one of the coolest forms of sculpture. Hobonickels has a current supply of 64,151,405 with. When i found the buffalo nickel in my school library, i knew i had a treasure in hand. Nobody knows for certain, but it appears the favorite coin for this mutilation was the buffalo nickel. In 20 i started playing around with indian head nickels to see what i could do with them. A concise record of the struggles and achievements of the early settlers together with a narrative of what is now being done by the norwegianamericans of illinois in the development of their adopted country. The is among the leading hobo carvers today, and is considered a master of skeletal designs in particular.
These folkart pieces are known as hobo nickels because hobos supposedly started carving them on long train rides during the depression. Aug 22, 2006 heres a neat gallery of hand carved nickels, called hobo nickels from wikipedia the hobo nickel is a sculptural art form involving the creative modification of smalldenomination coins, essentially resulting in miniature bas reliefs. Combining his skill as a master goldsmith and his love for drawing, artist john schipp has made a creative set of coins under the title grandma. It is the story of the creation of the buffalo nickel. Jul 14, 2011 rollie tells the story of the hobo nickel, how it came about and why they are so collectible today. In this particular case, industry did not correspond with creativity, as the basrelief depicts an unadorned numeral 5. Home of the sculptural artworks of adam leech, folk artist, jewelry designer, and defacer of coins and currency. Despite the name, hobo nickels are not restricted to nickels and can apply to any lowdenomination coin. Hobo nickel carving can effectively be divided into three periods, the first being the time of the old original hoboes. Possible ex library copy, will have the markings and stickers associated from the library. Hobos of that era for some reason took buffalo nickels and reengraved them, possibly selling them for some pin money. I have been besieged for the past two years by friends who have watched my progress of my journey into the world of carved hobo nickels.
See more ideas about hobo nickel, the originals and personalized items. There are many preowned hobo nickels for sale on ebay that include amazing mini pieces of art. Adam successfully hitchhiked from colorado to florida this year to attend the 2011 fun show. The buffalo nickel or indian head nickel is a 5cent u. Walter white, homer simpson carved on hobo nickels by shaun. Judith nickels is the author of a competent witness 3. In cleveland, the unemployment rate climbed to 50%, while. The purpose, methods of creation, and the components of hobo nickels are discussed. Hobo nickels by val aka goonie goonies hobo nickels. Hobo nickels are an american art form that started in the early 1900s, and they continue to be made today. Alperts artist galleries hobo nickel guidebook chapt.
Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1. Jan 12, 20 a nickel and a nail the original hobo nickel story official extended trailer. If you would like to write an article, add to existing articles, or anything else then please visit this thread at our hosted forum. For todays coin collectors and scholars including the 350 or so aficionados that make up the original hobo nickel society, inc. Hobonickels hbn price, charts, market cap, and other.
We spent hours and weeks combing through all those lincoln pennies, buffalo nickels, dimes, quarters, looking for an r, s, d, and filling those books. The origin of the term hobo nickel as i understand it goes something like this. Though peoplemany of whom were hoboshad been carving money. Between 1929 and 1932 industrial production dropped by nearly 45% and unemployment in certain us cities reached astronautical numbers. Today, artisans still continue this tradition of hobo coin art, and we were thrilled to discover these beautiful pieces. Over 700 enlarged photographs of hobo nickels are illustrated in the 126 page spiralwirebound book. May contain limited notes, underlining or highlighting that does affect the text. Hi there, i recently came across this hobby by hanging out in redc where i learned many people carry hobo coins as mementos etc. Im interested in getting into the hobby to start off just playing around with some pocket change.
Hobo nickels on barnorama the hobo nickel is slang for the artistic modification of coins, usually nickels because they are softer than the others. Each of these unique hobo nickels features an imaginative character skillfully carved in johnnys distinct style. See current values, how likely you are to find a buffalo nickel today, and tips for collecting them. New listing alien grey river of no return quarter carved original hobo nickel aaron lujan. Hobo nickels, photo courtesy of danthoms the american great depression serves as the defining bar for economic hardship and financial calamity. Buy john schipp hobo carved on a 1916 buffalo nickel bleaker carver john schipp collection at bgasc.
A second book, the hobo nickel was published in 1996 with dels wife, joyce ann romines, listed as the author. However, the term hobo nickel is generic, as carvings have been made from many different denominations. Courage has no color, the true story of the triple nickles. Apr 25, 2000 hobo nickels began in the 1920s or 1930s. If you want more info about the history of hobo nickels, read the wikipedia article. While some coins popular in the numismatist realm are little more than glittering pieces of metal with uniform engravings on each side, hobo nickels boast an unusual quality that contributes to their uniqueness. Hobo nickels are, well, nickels generally that have been recarved. Hobo nickels it all starts with a buffalo nickel youtube. With a proof of stake block time of 2 minutes, it is pushing to be one of the fastest coins available. See more ideas about hobo nickel, coins and coin art.
Most reproductions are 1936 and 1937 mint years from the philadelphia mint no mint mark. Buy john schipp hobo carved on a 1916 buffalo nickel. Americas forgotten hobo nickels appalachian magazine. A hobo nickel is a coin that has had a piece of art carved into it. He also discusses what is involved in making the nickels as well as how the ohns came into. The process of making a hobo nickel involves modifying these small value coins into carved, decorative items and is thought to have begun in the 1750s with the intro of modified half dimes and love tokens which traditionally were coins industrially smoothed and then engraved with. Get the best deals on hobo nickels when you shop the largest online.
The term hobo nickel is used generically for any engraved or carved coin. If you are a hobo nickel collector, carver, friend of a carver, or just interested in hobo nickels. Carver john schipp collection buy gold and silver coins bgasc. Kaikbax morgan hobo nickel us head 1921 hobo nickel coin old coin collectingusa old morgan dollar commemorative gift coinit is handmade art making life easier 5. As the third release in the fiveround series, all from mr. He soon published the first book on the subject, hobo nickels asin b0006r7sfw, in 1982. John schipp hobo nickel carved on a 1916 buffalo nickel. So early on i started casting solid sterling silver replicas for those friends and that has grown into what follows.
Hobo nickels 3 differenthobo nickels 3 different some of you know we are occasionally challenged by misplaced inventory in our warehouse. Superman by alan chernomashentsev deep sea diver, hobo nickel, comic books. The 100% yearly proof of stake is also one of the most generous staking algorithms released. Americas first black paratroopers stone, tanya lee, jackson, j. Users are able to generate hbn through the process of mining. The hobo nickel is a sculptural art form involving the creative modification of smalldenomination coins, essentially resulting in miniature bas reliefs.
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