Silver Hobo Nickels

Silver Hobo Nickels

Commemorating the American Sculptural Art of Buffalo Nickel Carving

Expanding upon the 2016 Paolo “MrThe” Curcio collection, new Silver Hobo Nickels available now featuring licensed art from engraving legends Saburov, Booteen, DeFlorentis, Adams & Jameson.

DISCOVER HOBO NICKELS

Dating back as early as the 18th Century, America’s hobo subculture passed time by carving miniature designs into circulating coinage. Although the term Hobo Nickel is generic and can be used to identify many various denominations, more carvings were made from the American five cent piece than any other coins. The hobby gained momentum in 1913 when the US Mint introduced the new “Buffalo Nickel”.

The new coin was a departure from classic american coins, which typically featured small portraits of women. The Buffalo Nickel obverse featured a prominent Native American male head, providing artists with a large canvas for sculpting and fine detail. The new nickel was thick and relatively soft, resulting in the most dynamic and creative results.

Hobo Nickels evolved over the years to reflect the changing political, social and humorous culture, resulting in thousands of engraved designs, collected and cherished world-wide. In collector’s markets, these hand-made carvings frequently sell for hundreds of dollars each, while two-sided or rare specialty Hobo Nickels yield tens of thousands of dollars each!

The Silver Hobo Nickels collection pays tribute to this uniquely American art form, featuring officially licensed original art from the most talented artists in the coin engraving industry.

Each Silver Hobo Nickel features two original designs on a single 999 fine silver coin, finished in an authentic antiqued polish, edge-marked with a unique mint number, encapsulated for long-term preservation, with a production limit of less than 5,000 proofs.

coin #11

VIKING BERSERKER

by Aleksey Saburov

As with most other irrational laws, follow the money to find the root of the injustice. With a quick search, you’ll discover that once again, the world’s most powerful industrial, media and banking elite conspired to criminalize hemp, as the invention of the decorticator posed a threat to their inferior fiber, paper and chemical concerns.

The naturally-occurring renewable resource in many ways lacked commercially-beneficial limitations, similar to JP Morgan’s infamous question to free energy proponent Tesla: “where do you put the meter?” As a result of racially-motivated vilification and competition-thwarting crony capitalism, hemp was renamed to marijuana, a Mexican slang term, and federal and state governments systematically declared hemp illegal in the first half of the twentieth century.

Viking Berserker is available in....

1 Oz Silver Antique

999 Fine Investment Grade Silver 39mm / 1.525″ diameter Hand-scraped antique finish Edge-numbered with unique production number Encapsulated in a Silver Hobo Nickels card Only 5,000 Authorized

5 Oz Silver Antique

.999 Fine Investment Grade Silver 63mm / 2.5″ diameter Hand-scraped antique finish Edge-numbered with unique production number Encapsulated in a clear plastic airtite Only 2,500 Authorized

Meet the Artist

Hailing from the historic city of Kostroma in Russia, Aleksey Saburov creates some of today’s most beautiful and expressive hobo coins. Saburov has completed the highest levels of training, attaining certification as a 6th Degree Master Engraver. He learnt about hobo nickels during his studies and was instantly attracted to using them as an artistic medium. Initially playing around with coin engraving as a hobby, Saburov quickly developed a passion for this creative craft. Saburov’s designs are exquisitely detailed, worked under 10X magnification, to create miniature bas-relief sculptures with subtle depth and intricate texture effects. His remarkable technique captures the unique nature and characteristics of every subject he takes on.

ARE YOU A COIN COLLECTING PIONEER?

June 01, 2016 – Join Dave Harper of Numismatic News as he dissects the virtues of discovering, loving and collecting the 2016 Silver Hobo Nickel coin collection!

coin #9

The Trains

by Steve Adams

The hobo coin designed by Steve Adams for our 2017 collection harks back to the heyday of nickel carving, with a distinct Art Deco influence. Images of trains have long been a popular motif for coin artists, as have the rail systems which they used to traverse their way around the nation. The obverse of the coin features a miniature traditional hobo profile, surrounded by trains and geometric Art Deco motifs.

The reverse of the coin continues the theme and Art Deco motif with the image of a hobo running along the tracks in front of a train. A gold finish on the headlight beam of the train adds drama. Adams’ skill and passion for hobo nickel design are clearly evident in this imaginative piece. His die-engraving methods and deep relief technique create captivating sense of depth, making every element of the design stand out.

1 Oz Silver Antique

999 Fine Investment Grade Silver 39mm / 1.525″ diameter Hand-scraped antique finish Edge-numbered with unique production number Encapsulated in a Silver Hobo Nickels card Only 5,000 Authorized

5 Oz Silver Antique

999 Fine Investment Grade Silver 63mm / 2.5″ diameter Hand-scraped antique finish Edge-numbered with unique production number Encapsulated in a clear plastic airtite Only 2,500 Authorized

Meet the Artist

Pennsylvanian Steve Adams is a master of hobo nickel engraving, whose work is instantly recognizable and a highly desirable addition to any coin collection. Adams worked in die engraving and sculpting for 20 years when he learnt about the tradition of hobo coin art. Giving the craft a try for himself, he was quickly drawn into the world of coin engraving. Adams uses his die engraving skills to develop a dramatic personal style. He works in deep relief, and to a greater depth than most other hobo nickel artists, resulting in a striking heavily-sculpted finish to his designs.

COINWORLD TAKES A LOOK AT THE SILVER HOBO NICKEL COLLECTION

May 28, 2016 – Coinworld’s Paul Gilkes takes a quick first look at the new 2016 Silver Hobo Nickel collection.

coin #8

Working the Graveyard Shift

by Chris DeFlorentis

A cloaked and hooded figure – the haunting image of Death – stalks an eerie graveyard on the obverse of Chris DeFlorentis’ hobo nickel brought to life in the 2017 Silver Hobo Nickel collection. From his menacing skull countenance, to the scythe that he uses to harvest the souls of the dead, this Grim Reaper is certainly not a character that you’d want to meet on a dark night. It is the little details, like the tombstone bearing a clock, and the reaper punching his timecard, that characterises DeFlorentis’ work and will make you fall in love with this coin.

The reverse of the coin offers a darkly humorous concept – the fish’s revenge. The coin depicts a boy being caught on a hook, cast by none other than a large fish. Rather than casting a line in hopes of catching a meal, you’ll see a fish on shore casting out his line with a fisherman on the hook as a bait.

1 Oz Silver Antique

999 Fine Investment Grade Silver 39mm / 1.525″ diameter Hand-scraped antique finish Edge-numbered with unique production number Encapsulated in a Silver Hobo Nickels card Only 5,000 Authorized

5 Oz Silver Antique

999 Fine Investment Grade Silver 63mm / 2.5″ diameter Hand-scraped antique finish Edge-numbered with unique production number Encapsulated in a clear plastic airtite Only 2,500 Authorized

Meet the Artist

US based artist Chris DeFlorentis (nickname, DeChristo) started engraving coins in 2011. Despite having no formal art qualifications, DeFlorentis quickly became recognised talent in the coin carving scene. DeFlorentis first learnt about hobo nickels when researching some error coins that he’d inherited from his father. He started a small collection of hobo coins, which included some Bill Jameson pieces, and was captivated by the fascinating and complex designs. When DeFlorentis decided to try carving some coins of his own, he was met with great support from the coin carving community. DeFlorentis forged a friendship with Steve Cox, who taught him many essential skills, while Larry Foster supplied him with beginner engraving tools. DeFlorentis brings a unique edge to the hobo nickel engraving world, uniting traditional folk-art lines with a striking eye for detail.

Chris DeFlorentis & Kira @ the ANA World Fair of Money 2017

coin #7

Durer's Knight, Death & the Devil

by Roman Booteen

Kicking off the 2017 Silver Hobo Nickel collection is Roman Booteen’s adaptation of Albrecht Durer’s 1513 “Knight, Death and The Devil”. Intricately detailed on a 1921 Morgan silver dollar, this masterpiece takes us back to the times of magic and superstition. On a finely muscled mount, our brave knight journeys through an otherworldly valley; beasts and ghastly figures lunge and leer at the rider, while hunting dogs clamor at his feet, creating an eerie sense of foreboding.

The reverse design was also originally featured on a Morgan silver dollar, creating a rare “double obverse” Silver Hobo Nickel, inspired by the mythology that surrounds trees. Since ancient times, trees have been symbols of the connection between the living world and the supernatural underworld. Legends from around the world tell of trees which are home to evil spirits, and of trees which can transform into demons.

Inspired by the mythology that surrounds trees, the obverse of Roman Booteen’s hobo coin for 2017 features a twisted and ghoulish tree, representing all that makes us feel wary on a dark night in the woods. From the tree’s gaping mouth reaches a fist clasping a bronze coloured snake. More endlessly entwined and venomous serpents coil around the trunk and branches. Entangled in the roots lie a sword, skull and a quiver of arrows, objects which are often used in art to represent death.

1 Oz Silver Antique

999 Fine Investment Grade Silver 39mm / 1.525″ diameter Hand-scraped antique finish Edge-numbered with unique production number Encapsulated in a Silver Hobo Nickels card Only 5,000 Authorized

5 Oz Silver Antique

999 Fine Investment Grade Silver 63mm / 2.5″ diameter Hand-scraped antique finish Edge-numbered with unique production number Encapsulated in a clear plastic airtite Only 2,500 Authorized

Meet the Artist

Based in Russia, rising star Roman Booteen maintains a mysterious level of anonymity, while producing hobo nickel creations which regularly shock the coin collecting community with both their subject matter and complexity. His carvings include pop culture figures, and he often plays with exaggerating and softening the facial features of his characters giving them a real sense of personality.

A Few Fan Videos....

Special edition

2016 Walking Hobo Silver Statue

by Silver Statues

August 16th, 2016 – In 2016, legendary hobo nickel carving expert Paolo “Mr The” Curcio licensed for production a series of 5 silver hobo nickel replicas, each featuring a unique obverse and reverse design from Mr The’s extensive portfolio.

To commemorate the first year’s successful launch of the five coins – The Fisherman, The Train, Skulls & Scrolls, Green Fairy Fishbones & Jefferson Skull – Mr The also authorized the 2016 Silver Hobo Nickel statue, bringing to life The Train coin’s reverse.

With a base fashioned from the rocky-bedded grade of railroad tracks, the characterized walking hobo features torn up clothes, an open-toed shoe, a corn husk pipe, tattered hat, and a sack full of his earthly belongings. The detail of the statue is stunning, right down to the fasteners securing the rails to the ties.

Each statue contains more than 10 Troy Ounces of silver, and the base is individually laser-etched with a unique production number, actual weight (in grams), and guaranteed minimum purity (925 Ag).

Production is limited to only 1,000 silver statues, so act fast before they’re gone!

SPECIFICATIONS

contains 10+ Troy ounces of solid silver
guaranteed minimum weight of 337 grams of .925 silver
base width is 2″ (50mm), height is 3″ (77mm)
limited production of only 1,000 casts
laser-etched weight, purity & unique production number
classic antique silver finish

coin #6

Nightmares of the Fall

by Aleksey Saburov

Designed especially to usher in our 2017 collection, Aleksey Saburov’s Nightmares of Fall is a delightfully spooky coin with a Halloween theme. This special edition design has a limited production of just 1,500 pieces and has an attractive antique finish.

The obverse features a haunting tree, bare of its foliage so that its branches form arms and hands, and its twisted trunk reveals a unearthly face. The reverse is a magnificently designed piece of art with nightmarish motifs and an autumnal edge. From under a cracked pumpkin shell peers a forgotten skull, draped with spiderwebs and spiders. A gleaming smooth full moon with the silhouette of a bat in flight creates a bold focal point to complete the piece.

Only Version Minted:

1 Oz Silver Antique

999 Fine Investment Grade Silver 39mm / 1.525″ diameter Hand-scraped antique finish Edge-numbered with unique production number Encapsulated in a airtite Only 1,500 Authorized

Mr The's 2016 Silver Hobo Nickel Collection

The Fisherman

The Fisherman’s obverse features the classic portrait of the wandering fisherman. Mr The’s original carving was sculpted over a period of two days, including an inlaid cigarette of 24 carat gold, and was engraved at the Original Hobo Nickel Society’s booth during the Florida United Numismatists convention in Orlando.

The reverse features a mountainous landscape formed from the coin’s original buffalo humps. With a copper fishing rod inlay, Mr The carved the design over two days as a fundraiser during Engrave-In, a non-profit event where the world’s leading Hobo Nickel engravers share their knowledge at no cost.