Have you ever heard of hobo nickels? These are altered coins once carved predominantly by “hobos,” or transient workers who used railway cars to travel in the early 1900s. These coins have captured the hearts of many collectors and certain hobo nickels are now worth far more than their face value.
History of the Hobo Nickel
Hobo nickels emerged following the release of the Buffalo Nickel in 1913. This coin offered an ideal canvas for carvers to work on. The large face on the obverse and the nickel’s rigid metal content enticed carvers to alter the image into various forms. Even the buffalo on the reverse side of the coin was sometimes transformed into other images, such as a turtle, a boxcar, or a man with a backpack.
Between 1913-1940, carvers used this art form to pass the time and in some cases trade their art for meals or other goods and services. Carvers used makeshift metal tools, knives, nails, and other items to rework the nickels into a variety of images.
Although most artists worked in anonymity, two carvers emerged as the most gifted hobo nickel craftsmen. Bertram “Bert” Wiegand and George Washington “Bo” Hughes lived the hobo lifestyle for decades and during that time they created numerous hobo nickels that are now appreciated and valued by collectors around the world.
Things changed after 1940, when the U.S. introduced the Jefferson Nickel. The beloved Buffalo Nickel began to phase out and so did the lifestyle of the hobo. Even though Bo Hughes created hobo nickels up until the 1980s, the art form transitioned away from its authentic Americana roots and modernized.
Hobo Nickels Now
Now, modern craftsmen seek to emulate the hobo nickels of the past using more modern tools. Modern carvers also use other coins and metals to create their pieces. For instance, the 5 oz. Silver Antiqued Fisherman Round is a prime example of a modern hobo coin inspired by Bert and Bo.
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