What Are these "Hobo Nickels" Junk to me

I keep seeing people buying these "Hobo Nickels" and all that I see is a blatant mutilation of a buffalo nickel but maybe I am missing me, let me know your thoughts.

Here is one of them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/HAND-CARVED-HOB...|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50#ebayphotohosting

 

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"A radical action was taken from enterprising artists; they would scrape away the original obverse, of the profile of the Native American, and modify him, either his headdress or the background, to create a work of art! These efforts were taken to somewhat, save the date of the buffalo nickel. These nickels are called hobo nickels, and for obvious reasons. These hobo nickels can fetch quite a bit of money in the marketplace today."

 

I think of these coins as interesting, but would never buy them I personally think it is a disgrace to Fraser's original design...

 

I think it is wonderfully creative. I think if anything Fraser would be happy because of the added popularity the hobo nickels have added to the coins.
If the price was right I would buy a couple.

 

Well it changes the entire design...
It goes from an indian, filled with pride, to a hobo? And he'd be proud?
IDK about that...
I love native american coins, in general, and love all buffalos, (nickels, gold, silver)
These hobo's are kinda neat looking, but I'm just on the fence about them, I don't find them collectible, they are just altered coins

 

They are not always hobos!

 

Do a search for forum member Billzach's posts, and I dare you to then say you don't like the look of his handiwork.

 

Those are some of the most amazing pieces of coin art I've ever seen!!!!
I still don't like the buffalo carvings, because the buffalo nickel is one of my favorite coins...But the other things he has done, are jaw dropping

 

Hobo nickles are folk art.

The ignorance of youth. Life was simple then.

 

There are some excellent modern Hobo Nickel carvers. One or two are CoinTalk Members. They produce some great works.

The carved coin in the eBay auction you linked to is simply modern crap carved with a power tool.

 

It really depends on the nickel and the quality of the artist. A lot of what you see are low quality dreck, but there are also pieces that a truly quality works of art. There is also the difference between the "classic" style, and the modern carvings.

Probably modern but in a classic style


Modern style of varying quality


(The bottom right is a classic piece carved in the 1930's)




One problem with appreciating these coins is that the true Hobo nickels from the thirties were often not of high quality, especially compared to what an engraver with modern tools can do. So most of what you see is poor quality moderns made to imitate the oldd styles, or high quality modern engravings that can't be fairly judged by the same standards, or plain hack jobs.

 

look at those prices...

*buys carving set*

 

At first glance, this looked like a crude hobo (except it is German & facing the wrong direction).

 

Now the one of the bird/ship captain, that one is cute... lol

 

I couldn't disagree more with the opening post. I think hobo nickels are a piece of art and the time and dedication they put into their "canvases" blows my mind. I have spent many hours going through BillZachs work and would one day like to buy one. When the moneys readily available.

 

Sure does take a long bit of time to make these, I'll give you that...
I just don't like them on my buffalo nickels, that is all...
I think he (billzach) has made the UGLY presidential dollars, look about 100 times better!!!
These are neat pieces of art, indeed... Still not sold on them being on my buffalos though..

 

to each his own.

I, personally think that hobo nickels are awesome works of art, if the engraver/artist is dedicated and talented, like our friend BillZach

 

I agree...it's art and its appeal is in the eye of the beholder. Whether or not you like what you see, at the very least you have to appreciate the skills that are needed to re-work a coin..

 

I was actually thinking of buying a few I just love them as they are turely a work of art. Not like some guy throwing paint at a canvas. Ice

 

That's the way I think of them.