Hobo Coins
Recently, I’ve seen a few replica rounds out there that copy some designs from the old “hobo nickels.” Turns out, these coins have a history that stretches back further than I thought!
- A hobo nickel is an art form involving the creative modification of a coin. The term hobo nickel is generic. Carvings can be made from any coin denomination. This form of art was particularly popular among hobos.
- Hobo Nickel Coin 1935 Buffalo 'Skull Lovers 2' Hand. Hobo Nickel Coin 1937 Buffalo 'Indian Skull' Hand. Hobo Nickel Coin Half Dollar 1964 'Doraemon' Hand. Hobo Nickel Coin Half Dollar 1964.
Buy Hobo Nickels & Carved Coins at BGASC. Low Prices, In Stock, Fast Shipping. Call Us (888) 992-4272 or Buy Online at BGASC.com. Our Hobo Nickel collection is unique and contains carvings by some of the best carvers. The carved coins by Steve Adams and Lee Griffiths are listed for sale for $1,000,000. Hobo coin 1964 Kennedy silver color Half Dollar skull zombie skeleton. 5 out of 5 stars.
Recently, silver rounds have been issued that honor hobo nickels. “The Fisherman” and “The Train” are shown above.
Sometime around the 1850s, people made use of the Liberty Seated design on the quarter (and later, 20¢ piece). The design was modified to show Liberty sitting on an old-fashioned chamber pot – giving it its nickname, the “potty coin!” By the 1870s, the expression (and the coin used) had changed to “potty dollar.” This expressed dislike for Trade dollar coins, which also featured the altered motto “no free trade.”
Engraved love tokens were also popular during the 1800s. In those days, people bitten by the “love bug” would etch a decorative design into a coin as a way to express their feelings for their beloved.
The art of altered coins really took off, though, when three key pieces of history came together:
- The Union Pacific Railroad was completed
- The start of the Buffalo nickel series
- Creative hobos began “riding the rails” around the time of the Great Depression
Once the Union and Central Pacific Railroads were joined at Promontory Point, Utah on May 10, 1869, a wealth of economic possibility flooded America. But then, just decades later, the Great Depression hit the U.S. As the unemployment rate topped off at over 20%, millions of people began scouring the country for work. But hobos made use of the most efficient transportation available. They hopped on trains to get from point to point, traveling the country for free.
Two early hobo nickel artists stand out among the fold – George Washington “Bo” Hughes and Bertram “Bert” Wiegand. Bert actually taught Bo the craft, having learned it himself around 1913. Though he didn’t carve as many nickels as Bo, Bert’s work was always of superior quality. Bo created a great number of works beginning in the late 1910s until a crippling hand injury in 1957. He did go on to create more hobo nickels beginning in the mid-1960s, but at a slower (and less detailed) pace.
Sure, they did it illegally, but not as a means to freeload. There’s actually a difference between hobos, bums and tramps, even though the terms were used almost interchangeably to describe the homeless during the Great Depression. Hobos are migratory workers – while bums and tramps were non-working beggars. Hobos had the desire to work – they just didn’t have the opportunity!
Hobos created a fascinating area of the hobby when they began carving Buffalo nickels!
As they traveled, hobos looked for ways to fill their time – coins were easy to carry, and carving them took a while. At the time, a quarter was a lot of money. The dime and cent were too small… but oh, the nickel! It was large enough to carve, and inexpensive enough to spare. Plus in 1913, the more delicate Liberty Head nickel design gave way to the broader features of the Buffalo nickel. This made it easier for hobos to make their own unique creations.They’d use crude tools like nails, chisels, and knives to carve away at the existing design. Some elements were saved, and others changed to fit their vision. The obverse (Indian head) design was changed into any number of portraits – from family members, to clowns, to hobos in derby hats. It wasn’t often that the reverse (buffalo) would be carved. But when it was, it morphed into fantastic images like a man carrying a knapsack, donkeys – even a train car carrying hobos!
A more modern era
A newer style of hobo nickels emerged from 1980 on – around the same time Del Romines published his book, Hobo Nickels. These newer pieces are exciting because they boast more detail and a wider variety of designs, thanks to newer tools and technology. But at the same time, they lack the unique character of the original hobo nickels.
Today, there are still hobo nickel carvers out there! Have you ever come across one of these fun pieces?
With a history spanning over more of sixty years, Corum is still a relatively young brand. Their watches offers originality and a touch of the spectacular throughout the brand existence. Several collections have gained popularity over the years and established the brand as a confident player between the avant gard watch manufacturers. We would like to recommend the Golden Bridge, the Bubble or the Admiral’s Cup. Another Corum signature collection is the Corum Coin Watch. Started in 1964, the collection uses the US $20 Double Eagle Coin. Today we review the latest Corum watches featuring coin dial – The Corum Heritage “Hobo Coin”.
Corum Coin watches stand out through originality: the watch is built around a real coin. The first watches used a US$20 gold coin and now the brand goes with bespoke US$1 silver “Hobo” Coins.
Hobo Coins Etsy
Review: The Corum Heritage “Hobo Coin”
The Corum Heritage “Hobo Coin” is a tribute paid to the street artists of the Great Depression. Starting with 1913, the five cent nickel coins gained the name of “poor’s man coin”. The coin value was so low that talented vagrants (homeless people with no means of support – hobos) begun to rework them in an attempt of a profit. In time, this led to the name of “hobo coins”.
In the contemporary times, the genuine hobo coins became extremely rare and became highly appreciated by collectors. The Original Hobo Nickel Society was founded in 1992, with the main purpose to preserve this American Heritage. The Russian freelance artist Aleksey Saburov is part of the move. Living in New Your, he is involved in the historical revival of the move by engraving “hobo coins” using authentic early century five-cent coins.
Corum collaborates with Aleksey Saburov and give him the chance to express his unique works of art in the newest Coin Watch Collection. Using a special micro-engraving technique on the silver coins, Corum made the art into dials in a limited edition of the prominent collection named Corum Heritage “Hobo Coin”.
The Corum Heritage Hobo Coin Collection brings the originality once again to the Coin Collection. Using authentic one dollar silver coins, the artist engraves symbols of life and death keeping the original edge lettering engravings.
In the Hobo Coin Collection, each watch is unique. Aleksey Saburov let his creativity flourish. The watches are lovely. Before going into a more detailed description, please have a look at the hands-on and wrist shot video from Baselworld 2018.
The case, dial and hands
Corum Heritage “Hobo Coin” comes with a 43 mm gorgeous silver case. The entire case is designed and built as an extension of the coin dial. The case is coin edged having the pattern present also on the side of the slim and delicate lugs. The nicely polished silver has a warm shine and a very pleasant feel.
The watch’s height of 7.60mm gives an even more elegant note. The “Hobo Coin” is light and it wears delicately. The watch is fitted with a sublime crown crafted in silver and fitted with a gorgeous blue sapphire.
The entire Hobo Coin watch is designed as a large coin. A nice design feature is represented by the subtle hour’s indexes present on the bezel.
The slotted hobnail bezel is reminiscent of the outer side of the coins. At the same time, the indentations on the bezel serve as hour indexes or five minutes intervals’ indices.
Silver is a rather soft metal and imposes a more usage regime as compared to a steel piece. The case is rated to 10 meters water resistance which protects against accidental splashes and rain damage. The silver tends to gain a nice patina during the ageing process. The advantage is that it can be easily cleaned and polished with clean cloth.
The Russian artist Aleksey Saburov explore the life and death theme. The “memento mori” motifs using skulls and bones is a manifest of life. A statement that regardless what we do in life, the death will always wait for us patiently. And a reminder that death must be respected through a great life and celebrated as any other important event in one man’s life.
The dial is impressive. The lavish engravings of Aleksey Saburov explore “dark” themes in an attempt to celebrate life in all her aspects. His engravings keep alive the work and art of unknown artists of the Great Depression. His work explores the surface of the one dollar silver US coin. While taking care to ensure the design keeps the original coin text is intact, Mr Saburov maximises the area he engraves. The images are rich in detail and have a powerful graphical impact.
The work requires a painstaking precision. The evolution of the dial creation can be observed in this video filmed by our friend from Quill&Pad, Ian Skellern.
The dial functionality is very minimalistic. The time indication is realised using two slender black baton hands. The legibility is good, perhaps somewhat unexpectedly so. The bezel indexes help for the moments when one might have only a quick look at it.
The grandiose image of death is imposing expressed. The details are present over the entire dial surface.
The movement – Calibre CO 082
The “Hobo Coin ” watch is powered by the calibre CO 082. The 11 1/2”’ (25.60 mm) automatic movement is based on the well know and reliable ETA2892 or Soprod A10. The Corum documentation is not clear as to which is used. The movement offers a power reserve of 42 hours and has a balance oscillating at 28,800vph. The movement is fitted with 21 jewels and lacks the date disk.
We have no other information about the movement. And without the ability to open the case to examine it, are unable to comment on the movement finishing.
The case-back reveals the entire beauty of the one dollar coin.
The back side of the Hobo Coin is the reverse of the coin – the Liberty. On the back the reference number and the “Unique Piece engravings are visible . The back side of the lugs wear the silver hallmarks and the brand’s logo.
The watch is fitted with a blue jeans strap that fits perfectly the hobo theme.
Competitive landscape
The Corum Heritage “Hobo Coin” are special watches. Their uniqueness cannot be compared. Not even with the Coin Watch Automatic 50th AnnvieSilver watch released by corum in 2016. The watch features a full one dollar coin.
The “Hobo” watch is priced at CHF21,000. For the sake of conversation, one might think of the artistic importance and could compare it, perhaps, with other artisan manufactured watches.
Concluding thoughts
The “Hobo Coin” watch is an interesting proposal. Leaving away for a moment the artistic message, the work is magnificent. The micro-engravings are excellently executed. The watch is, clearly, a niche timepiece. Each is a unique creation. Even the theme is rather unusual. Nevertheless, the watch looks and wears great.
We salute the Corum’s initiative and involvement in keeping a tradition strong. The collaboration with the Aleksey Saburov was fruitful and the result is breathtaking.
Corum Heritage “Hobo Coin” is a light watch due to the silver lightness. The wear is comfortable and the blue jeans denim strap increase the watch’s special allure.
Corum “Hobo Coin” Specification and Price
The Corum “Hobo Coin” Ref. 6650-01 has a price of CHF21,000.
Movement
Calibre: CO 082
Hobo Coins Roman Booteen
Type: Automatic
Dimensions: 11 1/2”’
Jewels: 21
Power reserve: 42 hours
Frequency: 4Hz / 28’800 vph
Functions: Hour and minute
Case
Material: Silver 925
Dimensions of the case: Ø 43.0mm, height 7.60mm
Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
Hobo Coins Moving Parts
Crown: Silver 925, 1 Round blue sapphires ~0.17 ct
Hobo Coins With Secrets
Caseback: 925 silver coin
Water resistance: 10 meters / 1 ATM
Strap
Material: Blue Jeans
Buckle: Pin buckle in silver.