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 Replies: 17 / Views: 1,601 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3323 Posts |
As I peruse online auctions, I am starting to see more and more modern "hobo" nickels for sale. The designs are fairly standard. In one auction, I counted about a dozen, all with the same design. Looks like they use a template and a Dremel tool. To me, it's kind of sad to deface a classic coin. I understand that a circulated common date Buff isn't worth a ton, but that's one less original coin in the world. Just my opinion of course. I wonder what seasoned collectors think of this practice. Is it going too far to sacrifice an original coin to create these fantasy pieces for the sake of a few bucks?  "Nummi rari mira sunt, si sumptus ferre potes." - Christophorus filius Scotiae
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Moderator
 United States
187702 Posts |
Very interesting. I cannot complain about them doing this to common dateless or date restored examples. That being said, is it just me, or does that date look restored and enhanced?  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
I don't see the harm in it.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19126 Posts |
Not a fan; however, I won't have a hissy fit. Now, would be interesting to see such a treatment on an Ike dollar... |
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Quote:Now, would be interesting to see such a treatment on an Ike dollar...   |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
6464 Posts |
It's not like they are going to buy rare Buffalo nickels in good condition and hack them up. Aesthetically, I think the ones made with stencils and cutting tools lack the authenticity of the old school hobo nickels, which were hand carved and often really cool. But there are some neat modern ones too, that still have that rustic craftsman look. |
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Valued Member
United States
450 Posts |
My thoughts........Someone will buy it if the price is right for them.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8733 Posts |
I have always looked at them as artistry, in a very minute sense. I have never bought one but think they are cool.
-makecents-
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
73795 Posts |
I've always thought that they're cool. Doesn't really bother me much.
Errers and Varietys.
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Moderator
United States
54280 Posts |
Every nickel they deface means the remaining nickels are a teensy tiny bit more scarce.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3323 Posts |
Thanks to all for your thoughts. I've seen two of these that were done on DDR Buffs and one looked like an OMM. My concern is that the "artists" don't recognize what could be a desirable coin and indiscriminately destroy something that would be treasured by variety collectors. These usually go for about $10 or so. There are a couple of auction houses that seem to specialize in them, both of which I consider to be a little shady in their business practices. But I've also noticed them showing up in the smaller auctions I frequent. "Nummi rari mira sunt, si sumptus ferre potes." - Christophorus filius Scotiae
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Quote:
My thoughts........Someone will buy it if the price is right for them.  |
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New Member
United States
46 Posts |
I started carving hobo nickels in 2001 and taught coin carving at the ANA Summer Seminar for 10 years so I think my opinion may have some weight. I teach with dateless nickels as they cost me 10 cents each and the idea of the class is to give the student the skills necessary to start engraving and cutting coins. I use full date coins as they cost me 50 cents each and since I am getting $75 and up for my carvings, I'd rather start with a better coin. Some collectors will supply coins to be carved. I know one collector who would send high grade 1913 type 1 and 1938D coins to be carved as those were the two he liked. Several high end engravers have also entered the field and carve everything from Lincoln cents up through double eagles. One AU1921 Morgan I carved sold for $2,300. Yes, some current carvers turn out hundreds of carvings that look basically the same, but there is a market for them so it will continue. Accidentally carving a rare coin can happen, but most modern carvers start with weak or no date coins and the ones who use full date are mainly using 1934-1937 coins as they are the most common and cheapest as well as the most searched dates for varieties before the coin dealer puts them up for sale. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6464 Posts |
I don't see accidentally using a rare variety for a hobo nickel as any different than unknowingly giving it to your little grandson or tossing it into a CoinStar. Barring immediate public awareness, the vast majority of vintage variety coins probably haven't survived circulation. The odds of death by hobo nickel are vanishingly small, as so few are produced relative to the supply of coins. It can obviously happen, but mathematically speaking, I have to imagine that the flavor of problem is an infinite number of monkeys typing on an infinite number of typewriters.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3323 Posts |
@RootRiverMint - I appreciate your unique perspective on the subject. What is your opinion of the example I posted above?
"Nummi rari mira sunt, si sumptus ferre potes." - Christophorus filius Scotiae
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3323 Posts |
I wanted to clarify something - I'm not talking about well executed carvings on Buffalo nickels. I appreciate those just like everyone else. What I'm talking about are the ones like posted above that appear to be mass-produced Dremel tool creations. I think you could turn out hundreds like the representative piece in a day... "Nummi rari mira sunt, si sumptus ferre potes." - Christophorus filius Scotiae
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Replies: 17 / Views: 1,601 |
Posted 08/22/2024 4:38 pm
