ORIGINAL HOBO NICKEL SOCIETY, INC.
A Florida Not-For-Profit Corporation
FUN2005  Mail and Floor Bid Auction
to be held at the
Original Hobo Nickel Society Meeting
Saturday, January 15, 2005 at 10 a.m.
Florida United Numismatists, Inc.  ~  January 13-16, 2005
Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center
1950 Eisenhower Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316



Mail Bid Sheet


FUN2005 Online Catalogue ~ Lots...111-120 ~ Page...12

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LOT 111

Superior/Superior

 

Hammer plus 10% Buyer's Fee... Final Price: _____ $550 Mail _____

Bidder Number: ___________

 

Indian Head

Probable Artist: Ron Landis

Coin: 2000-D Jefferson (AU)

 

This coin was featured in Bo Tales, vol. 10, no.1, page 7, col. 1, and vol. 10, no. 2, page 6, col. 2.

 

First Examiner: Alpert

Observations: Modern carving. At first glance this appears to be just an enhanced re-engraved buffalo nickel obverse. But the big surprise is seeing Monticello on the reverse and realizing that the obverse is an altered Jefferson nickel! As Jefferson faces left, the transformation is amazing. It was signed “184, RL, 00” above the building. Artist says “This is the second nickel I’ve carved of this type”

 

 

Second Examiner: Fivaz

Observations: Thomas Jefferson has had his head spun around 180 degrees on this piece, an amazing example of the artist’s creativity and expertise.

 

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LOT 112

 

Hammer plus 10% Buyer's Fee... Final Price: _____ $467.50 _____

Bidder Number: ___________

 

**********************

A complete set of Bo Tales from

Volume 1, #1 (1992)

through

Volume 13,  #3  (2004).

**********************

 

The early versions are fairly rare.

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LOT 113

Donation to OHNS

From Robert Shamey

 

Hammer plus 10% Buyer's Fee... Final Price: _____ $385 _____

Bidder Number: ___________

 

Bracelet of eight cast copies of original carvings

 

Probable Artist: “Shamey”

Coins: Various

 

First Examiner: Fivaz

Observations: Would rank superior except for the fact that they are cast copies. (Copies were graded above average by Fivaz.) A unique lot in that all eight are (1) cast copies of the artist’s original carvings, and (2) they are in the form of a bracelet. Subjects are: a traditional hobo, a reverse carving of a walking hobo, a reverse carving of an Indian Chief, John Wayne, a mythical man with a horn on his head, Einstein, character face, and Susan B. Anthony.

 

Second Examiner:

Observations: (Alpert stated that the Quality Designation was not applicable in this situation.) Eight superior modern nickel carvings were used to create these nice cast copies mounted in a bracelet. The carved sides are facing outward. A great hobo nickel related jewelry item. Quality of the castings is excellent.

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Hobo Walker Indian John Alexander Albert Sun Lady

      2004 has been a milestone... in my career as an artist working in metal. - It was in January that I was introduced to 'Hobo Nickels' and my life took on a whole new dimension... Some have said an obsession, but I consider the carving of 'Hobo Nickels' to be the greatest challenge, to date, of my artistic career.
      I have to say that I have never had so much fun in the doing... and satisfaction in the completion of any other form of metal art.
            Click to view enlarged version. Click to view enlarged version.    Click to view enlarged version. Click to view enlarged version.
      Over the course of this last year many of my friends have expressed a desire to possess one or another of my carved nickels. Of course this is not possible, I would end up with none of my own. I thought that I would try to make a mold of one of my carvings and attempt to cast a copy.
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The casting (John Wayne) turned out perfect, although the finished product is about 5% smaller than the original, all of the minute detail came through. Each of these reproductions is signed, dated, numbered and marked 'Replica' on its edge. My friends were happy with their gifts and a whole new idea was born.
      I have chosen eight of my carvings to work with, made molds and cast copies which I have then mounted in a silver bracelet, that I also designed and cast. I then donated this bracelet as a gift to The OHNS to auction in January of 2005 at the fun show in Ft. Lauderdale. Along with the bracelet I submitted one of the eight originals for the annual auction. ~ Robert Shamey ... Click to EMail this person.           [ Kinda hard to tell the ORIGINAL from the CASTING isn't it? ~ Ol'Fatman ]

Left-click on bracelet photograph or on a carving's name to view enlargements.

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LOT 114

Average/Average (L)

 

Hammer plus 10% Buyer's Fee... Final Price: _____ $55 _____

Bidder Number: ___________

 

Bearded Man Wearing Derby

Probable Artist: Unknown

Coin: 1913-P T1 (XF)

 

First Examiner: Fivaz

Observations: Typical hobo nickel carver’s subject. Wrap around hat brim on a plain crowned derby. Much of the Indian’s hair is still visible on the crown. Heavy lines define hat and collar. The ear is roughly shaped. Hair and beard punched. A few scratches infield in front of mouth; mouth altered but profile not. Chisel dressed field behind subject.

 

Second Examiner: Alpert

Observations: Mostly punched old hobo nickel. Deeply punched bold lines form the hat, ear, and collar-shoulder. Small punched gouges form the hair-beard (no mustache). Profile unaltered except for the open mouth. Field chisel dressed.

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LOT 115

Average (H)/Above Ave (H)

 

Hammer plus 10% Buyer's Fee... Final Price: _____ $330 Mail _____

Bidder Number: ___________

 

Bearded Man Wearing Derby

Probable Artist: Unknown

Coin: 1926-S (VF)

 

First Examiner: Alpert

Observations: Old punched and carved hobo nickel. Simple outline used for hat. The nice small ear overlaps the hat brim which overlaps the hat band and bow. Eye was altered, hair and beard were punched, and the profile remained unaltered. Collar is simple and awkward. Field just adequately dressed.

 

Second Examiner: Fivaz

Observations: On rare date coin. Carved and punched method used by the artist with beard-hair made with circular punch at different angles. Hat has a plain crown with a hat band and bow. Ear extends above hat brim. Subject has an unaltered profile and squint lines behind (punched) eye. Field behind subject dressed. Liberty is barely visible. Straight lines used for collar.

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LOT 116

Above Ave (L)/Above Ave (L)

 

Hammer plus 10% Buyer's Fee... Final Price: _____ $275 _____

Bidder Number: ___________

 

Bearded Man Wearing Derby

Probable Artist: Unknown

Coin: 1916-P (XF)

 

First Examiner: Alpert

Observations: Old totally carved hobo nickel. Hat has thin straight raised brim, and nicely-lined hat band with bow. The hair and eyebrow were carved. Subject has a sparse wispy beard, no mustache, a small detailed ear and no collar. Profile is unaltered. The field behind the head and neck is decently dressed.

 

Second Examiner: Fivaz

Observations: Very delicate carving technique used here, with nicely formed hatband with bow and plain crown on hat. Subject has a distinctive ear structure and a very scraggly hair-beard with fine scratches. Beard extends out into field from chin. Profile is unaltered. There is no collar. Mouth is very delicately altered. The field behind the subject is dressed.

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LOT 117

Above Ave (L)/Average (H)

 

Hammer plus 10% Buyer's Fee... Final Price: _____ $160 _____

Bidder Number: ___________

 

Bearded Man Wearing Derby

Probable Artist: Unknown

Coin: 1913-D T1 (XF)

 

First Examiner: Alpert

Observations: Classic old carved and punched hobo nickel. Bold hat is high on head, with the wrap-around brim (not well done in front). Subject has a small simple ear and punched hair-beard-mustache. Profile was unaltered. Simple line used for collar. Field and neck are chisel-dressed. Has nicer eye appeal at a distance than when viewed close up.

 

Second Examiner: Fivaz

Observations: Nice original (classic) carving. Wrap-around hat brim on hat with plain crown and partially hidden hat band and bow. Small circular punch used for hair, beard, moustache (no eyebrow). Unaltered profile; deeply cut small ear. No collar. Field dressing appears to have been done with a chisel.

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LOT 118

Above Ave (L)/Above Ave

 

Hammer plus 10% Buyer's Fee... Final Price: _____ $330 _____

Bidder Number: ___________

 

Bearded man Wearing Derby

Probable Artist: Unknown

Coin: No Date-D T2 (XF)

 

First Examiner: Alpert

Observations: Old carved hobo nickel, high relief with very bold carved features. Hat brim and lower collar are raised metal. Hair-beard-mustache was carved. Profile unaltered. Entire field nicely dressed. Liberty removed. Outer field appears higher than original coin’s surface. Fine knife-like scratches on hat and field Great eye appeal.

 

Second Examiner: Fivaz

Observations: Very attractive and eye appealing carving. Subject has a plain, smooth hat (crown) with a rather straight brim with hatband and bow. “C” shaped ear, hat brim, and lower collar are raised above the coin’s surface. The hair, beard, moustache are dense and well done. Profile and eye may be very slightly altered. Interesting technique used in dressing the field with the rim removed all the way around.

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LOT 119

ABOVE Ave (H)/Above Ave

 

Hammer plus 10% Buyer's Fee... Final Price: _____ $302.50 _____

Bidder Number: ___________

 

Bearded Man Wearing Derby

Probable Artist: Unknown

Coin: 1916(?)-D (XF-AU)/(AU)

 

First Examiner: Alpert

Observations: Carved and punched classic old hobo nickel. Nice hat with wrap around brim, band, and a smooth dome. Subject has a small ear. The hair-beard-mustache was punched using a small circle punch. Profile was unaltered. Nice double collar and dressed field. The entire obverse has a dull sandblasted finish.

 

Second Examiner: Fivaz

Observations: Typical subject for the hobo nickel artist.  Hat design (with wrap around brim) is somewhat similar to a previous lot. The crown of the hat is delicately textured and the hatband partially hidden. Beard- hair-moustache is also similar to a previous lot. Small “C” ear (raised) as is the collar. The field was dressed with Liberty remaining. The profile was unaltered.

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LOT 120

Above Ave (H)/Above Ave (L)

 

Hammer plus 10% Buyer's Fee... Final Price: _____ $165 _____

Bidder Number: ___________

 

Bearded Man Wearing Derby

Probable Artist: Unknown

Coin: No Date-S T2 (XF)

 

First Examiner: Alpert

Observations: Classic old carved and punched hobo nickel. Simple hat has a textured pattern on the dome and a broad slightly curved brim; no band. Nice narrow detailed ear top overlaps the brim. Neat hair-beard-mustache, all formed by small nail (?) punches. Subject has a nicely altered profile and eye, and a large rounded nose. Entire field was dressed with Liberty removed. Nice eye appeal.

 

Second Examiner: Fivaz

Observations: The most noticeable feature on this carving is the large, bulbous nose on the subject. Textured hat crown (rough). Eye slightly altered. Ear very nicely formed and overlaps hat brim. Light lines form collar. Field completely dressed (and textured).

Auction information provided here as a courtesy only.
The "offical" auction catalog is the printed version and will have all the final editing shown in it.
Webpage last updated: Thursday, November 4, 2004
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  Since: Tuesday, 11/23/04