A Neat Art Form: Hobo Nickels

wwkirk

Divine
Were you aware of this art form?

A “hobo nickel” is a coin that has been carved out, resulting in miniature bas reliefs. Many involved the Buffalo nickel of 1913–1938, which was 75% copper and 25% nickel, hence easy to carve. Its heyday was the era of the railroad riding, transient workers (“hobos”), who carved them while riding the rail-cars or between jobs, displaying their skill, and sometimes black humor.

main-qimg-b4a7e4eb1cb1306025ff43bcd57d9877


But regular artists also took up the practice. Some examples, both vintage and more recent.

Hobo-Nickels-10-1.jpg

Hobo-Nickels-5-1.jpg

Hobo-Nickels-21-1.jpg

Hobo_Skull_nickel_RandomDate_obv_web.jpg

c44ef0938fb614d27c64ba52a256b5ca--hobo-nickel-funky-art.jpg

hobo-nickel-coin-1936-buffalo-indian-style-hand-engraved-by-gediminas-palsis.jpg
1-oz-silver-antique-round-hobo-nickel-trains_153483_Slab.jpg

150016_Slab.jpg

Hobo nickel - Wikipedia
 
Top