Modern Hobo Nickle

FunWithTreasure · Jun 2, 2013

Got this in my change at Burger King today posted it in a different post but was asked by a few people for up close pics so here they are. I really like this coin.

HutSiteDigger · Jun 2, 2013

lol. that is one odd looking coin, no idea about these!

vpnavy · Jun 3, 2013

Wow - searched the net and couldn't find anything on the coin - cool FunWithTreasure.

zincmaster · Jun 3, 2013

cool coin but it looks like someone is making fun of god since they got rid of the words in, we and trust.

Erik in NJ · Jun 3, 2013

I don't think so. See the three little "thought" bubbles?...He's thinking of God. See the rays around the main bubble containing the word "God?" Probably made by a religious person. Not sure who they have turned Jefferson into with the large nose. Cyrano de Bergerac? It's an interesting piece of work and truly is a modern day "Hobo nickel!"

zincmaster said:
cool coin but it looks like someone is making fun of god since they got rid of the words in, we and trust.

ynpto804 · Jun 3, 2013

I like this a lot. I would Love to have one.

yelnif · Jun 3, 2013

Erik in NJ said:
I don't think so. See the three little "thought" bubbles?...He's thinking of God. See the rays around the main bubble containing the word "God?" Probably made by a religious person. Not sure who they have turned Jefferson into with the large nose. Cyrano de Bergerac? It's an interesting piece of work and truly is a modern day "Hobo nickel!"

Hobo nickel? I'll have to look that up.
I think this is a political coin- depicting the next lying, cheating, self serving politician to appear, thus the pinocho syndrome and he is thinking- we used to be a nation under God but we ( the politicians) changed all that.
Neat find and very unique- It will be interesting to see if any more show up. It looks to me to be die struck- so why only make a one off?

HH yelnif

Just looked up hobo nickel and found out they were/are an individual art work and are not 'struck' coins. Sorry @that- never have heard of them before- but I'll still stick with my interp.

HH yelnif

FunWithTreasure · Jun 3, 2013

ynpto804 said:
I like this a lot. I would Love to have one.

It is really cool when you look at it close it has a ton I detail in it.

joe_dirt · Jun 3, 2013

Ha, that's one weird coin. Certainly interesting.

yelnif · Jun 3, 2013

Check out "the original hobo nickel society dot org." - some beautiful work and worth some $$$. The detail is great.

I don't know how to add the link- also not sure it would be allowed? If it is ,could someone put it up? Thanks

hh yelnif
PS. new record sale for hobo nickel= $13,750 @ Florida meeting/ sale.

calisdad · Jun 3, 2013

Nice find. If I had put the time into it I'm not sure I would have spent it.

TheCoinKid · Jun 4, 2013

That's a strange one.

yelnif might be on to something. The Pinocchio thing with the nose could well be a political statement.

stefen · Jun 4, 2013

Hobo nickles are qiute collectable and can run into $10K+ and up, value-wise. Your coin would get maybe $5 to 10 bucks and no more than $20 on Ebay...

Typically Indian (Bufallo) nickles are used, however they can be found using all denomination of coins, foreign and domestic.

Here are a few examples from my collection, which ranges from simple forms to complex, and from hand carved to laser cut.

FunWithTreasure · Jun 4, 2013

stefen said:
Hobo nickles are qiute collectable and can run into the $10K and up value-wise. Your coin would get maybe $5 to 10 bucks and no more than $20 on Ebay...

Typically Indian (Bufallo) nickles are used, however they can be found using all denomination of coins, foreign and domestic.

Here are a few examples from my collection, which ranges from simple forms to complex, and from hand carved to laser cut.

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=808506"/><img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=808508"/><img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=808510"/>

Thanks for the info value isn't to important I plan to add it to my collection.

Erik in NJ · Jun 4, 2013

Nice theory, but I believe Yelnif is incorrect. Classic hobo nickels often featured a pic of a hobo with a beard and a hat. This one has the beard and no hat. His nose is a cartoon nose, but unlike Pinnocchio's nose which was long, narrow, and straight. The thought bubble indicates he's thinking about God and the rays around the primary bubble indicate that the thoughts are good thoughts--probably some religious artist or someone from the bible belt. Too bad the artist didn't put a hat on him. Take a look at this link I'm attaching for some vintage hobo nickel art. I have seen one found before by a detectorist. Your nickel is not vintage, but still very cool. Probably an artist trying to make a name for himself. I'd try to get in touch with this society for more information on your coin. Very cool find!

Original Hobo Nickel Society

yelnif said:
Hobo nickel? I'll have to look that up.
I think this is a political coin- depicting the next lying, cheating, self serving politician to appear, thus the pinocho syndrome and he is thinking- we used to be a nation under God but we ( the politicians) changed all that.
Neat find and very unique- It will be interesting to see if any more show up. It looks to me to be die struck- so why only make a one off?

HH yelnif

Just looked up hobo nickel and found out they were/are an individual art work and are not 'struck' coins. Sorry @that- never have heard of them before- but I'll still stick with my interp.

HH yelnif

granthansen · Jun 4, 2013

This is really cool! Someone did a great job on this.

ynpto804 · Jun 4, 2013

Man, I don't know why I didn't see it before. But I believe the artist mark is on the reverse of the coin. I also remembering something about a artist making these and putting them into circulation. I can't stop looking at this awesome coin.

Erik in NJ · Jun 4, 2013

I see "AT" on the reverse near the front of the buffalo.

ynpto804 said:
Man, I don't know why I didn't see it before. But I believe the artist mark is on the reverse of the coin. I also remembering something about a artist making these and putting them into circulation. I can't stop looking at this awesome coin.