Sorry, he overpaid in my opinion. Just check around. See them selling for way under $100. I think if was by a famous artist, it would be engraved possible with paperwork? No?
I see these much like the love tokens that were prevalent before them. I don’t view them from a numismatic perspective. These are art and as art are only worth what another art aficionado is willing to pay for it. I do find the $300.00 price a bit hefty. But if your buddy is happy then all is good.
A person that may know is Bill Fivaz he had a large collection and is asked questions all the time about such.
I think he overpaid. There are people that carve these today. They mainly use worn and no date nickels but they are new, not that this one looks like it but I’m no expert on them.
He lives near our area, but I do not like to give his number out. He and his group are members of our coin club. A PM would be great to give you his #.
Try google: Bertram Weigand (rare hobo carver) look for LI and Y scratched out on liberty on coins obverse on other HOBO's. also check out: www.collectorsweekly.com/us-coins/hobo-nickels
Got this reply on Facebook, along with 3 likes. I think he is more than qualified to give an opinion.
One more confirmation, thanks Searcher Hi Steven: I can confirm that this is absolutely an original Hobo Nickel. Regards, Bill Fivaz
