How Do You Tell If A Hobo Nickel Is Original?

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Author	Replies: 3 / Views: 965
Rollsearcher37 Pillar of the Community United States 1295 Posts	Posted 03/20/2014 10:35 am I'm considering buying the coin pictured below for my mother's birthday (she loves hobo nickels) and I was wondering if there was a way to tell if one is original? I know there are tons of modern carvings, but this coin sure looks like an original. Kind of rough, if you will. Also, the price I would pay is $30; do you think that is a good deal? Report this Post to the Staff

fioti Pillar of the Community United States 4212 Posts	Posted 03/20/2014 10:59 am Generally, the person selling has some background, or provnenance as to where it originated. Check that 1st. Otherwise, there are several sites showcasing various pieces & their artists. The premier artist, (back when I dabbled) was a fellow named simply "BO". As for the price, I'd say that's more than fair. It does have a look of "age" to it. Mom's gonna love it! Report this Post to the Staff
Libertad Pillar of the Community Canada 3692 Posts	Posted 03/20/2014 11:09 am If you know anything about modern tools you'll know how to spot a modern hobo nickel. If it's all gravers and chisels there's a better chance it's real, but there are ways to age the coin to make the cuts not look fresh anymore (patinas). I personally wouldn't buy any of the originals because they're not as well-made as modern ones, although with moderns I don't know why they use coins at all since they don't resemble the original anymore and could've been made with a regular sheet of metal. Report this Post to the Staff
Libertad Pillar of the Community Canada 3692 Posts	Posted 03/20/2014 11:13 am Look at the fields to check for dimples, evidence of rotary tools. Normally this would be done with a graver or some sandpaper, but the smoothness of your coin around the edges makes me doubt it a bit. The neck particularly looks smoothed out and there's no rim or date, without leaving any tool marks! Report this Post to the Staff
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