Never heard of a Hobo Nickel. AANNNDDD, there is a club for that ... Hobo Nickel Society.
Hobo nickels are hand-carved coins that have been cleverly altered by artists. This style of artwork became especially popular in America in the early 20th century.
Upon hearing the term "Hobo nickel," a cartoonish image is conjured. Perhaps of a small scruffy coin with a stick and bandana sack, meandering along some railroad tracks. You might also think of a nickel used by a vagrant in some fashion, possibly for bus fare or food.
A massive art movement is the last thing to come to mind.
The truth of Hobo nickels is that they are a folk art that carry with them a rich tradition, history, and artistry that gives them value beyond the usual coin collecting.
2 comments:
Who KNEW??? And my husband was a big coin collector. Never heard him mention these.
are you sure we weren't married to the same guy? My husband, a big coin collector ... I keep finding them all over the place LOL
I have never heard of them and would love to see one!!! Maybe we should make little wooden ones would be fun! xoxoxo
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