HOBO NICKELS



The HOBO nickel represents a time period when people had to be creative just to survive. Perhaps the best description can be understood by going to the Bill Fivaz article Click Here and then returning here using the back button on you browser. Bill describes a HOBO nickel and the modern day reproductions referred to as a NEO-BO.

To see an authentic HOBO nickel Click Here.

Here are some pointers when considering HOBO nickels:

1) Reproductions are usually very worn buffalo nickels, as the engraver is wise enough to know better than deface a valuable coin. Most reproductions are 1936 and 1937 mint years from the Philadelphia Mint (no mint mark).

2) The cut lines in reproductions are very sharp and clean, with no residue in the cuts. The cuts will show no wear. People who reproduce them get carried away with detail and there is usually a lot of beard hair.

3) A true HOBO Nickel shows wear on the cut lines, and and there is residue in the cuts. The coin should feel smooth and you should not be able to feel the engravings.

4) Most HOBO Nickels are good to very fine as the HOBOs used circulated coins. They are usually carved on one side, and the majority of real Hobo Nickels are modified on the Indian Head and not the Buffalo, although there are many carved Buffalos to be found. (The Indian side was easiest to carve due to the strong features and large working surface). Remember that HOBOs only had a knife, and not a modern day high-speed rotary tool with a coin snugly anchored in a vise.

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