Hobo Nickel on 1936 Buffalo Nickel Signed (6201.9)

Description

Hobo Nickel C
oin mounted in an Airtite Capsule.
""SEE PHOTOS"" This photo is the exact Hobo Nickel
for sale in this deal.
Historic Hobo Nickels became popular in the 1930's during the great depression.  At that time thousands of men across the U.S. lived a nomadic lifestyle.  They traveled the country by railroad cars looking for work and were referred to as Hobos.  To pass the time, Hobos would carve Buffalo Nickels into art and sell them for food money.
The hobo nickel is a sculptural art form involving the creative modification of small-denomination coins, essentially resulting in miniature bas reliefs. The nickel, because of its size thickness, and relative softness was a favored coin for this purpose. However the term "hobo nickel" is generic as carvings have been made from many different denominations.  Due to its low cost and portability this medium was particularly popular among hobos, hence the name.