Two years ago I met a new friend and fellow hobo nickel collector Art DelFavero at the 2003 Fall Michigan State Numismatic Society (MSNS) Convention and Coin Show held every year the Friday, Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving. Since that show in 2003, Art and I have gotten together on many occasions to discuss hobo nickels and share our most recent acquisitions with each other. When possible we try to meet each other at major Michigan coin shows like MSNS. By the way... Art is also a skilled nickel carver known as Cinco de Arturo. Check out his carvings in the 2006 OHNS Auction, Lot numbers 89 and 90.
I arrived at this year's show at the 10AM opening on Friday. After a short time, Art called me on my cell phone and said he was running a little late and would be there in about an hour. So during that next hour, I went from dealer table to dealer table in the main room asking each dealer if he or she had any hobo nickels for sale. Out of the first 139 tables, I found 2 dealers with a total of 3 hobo nickels. All three nickels were original but no better than average quality.
I then moved to the second room where there were additional dealers. Lo and behold, the third dealer I talked to had several hobo nickels to show me. He had several John Dorusa's, a few Keith Pedersen's and to my surprise a “Rough Beard” and a “Smoothie.” I decided to purchase the “Rough Beard” and a John Dorusa clown. I agreed on price with the dealer and then had him hold the coins until Art arrived to view them. Not five minutes later, Art walked in and we sat down at the dealer's table. Art confirmed that the nickels were in fact a “Rough Beard” and “Smoothie.” Art talked me into purchasing the “Smoothie” nickel as well as the other two. Art and I then spent some time looking at the hobo nickels (some classic, some recent) that I had brought with me.

In the same room where I found these hobo nickels were the MSNS auction lots for the Craig A. Whitford Numismatic Auctions taking place during the weekend of MSNS Show. There were two lots of hobo nickels in the auction. The first lot consisted of three nickels and the second lot consisted of two hobo nickels. I decided I was only interested in one coin in the lot of three. I submitted a bid based on the value (to me) of that one nickel. One week after the MSNS show I learned I had won that lot. I received it in the mail the next day. Above are the three nickels in that lot. Along with the other coins I purchased at the show, it was a wonderful coin show for this hobo nickel collector.
After I finished checking out the dealer tables and viewing the numismatic displays, I went to the MSNS Hospitality Suite in the hotel where the convention was being held. One of the volunteers in the Hospitality Suite is Rita Jene Sledz, hobo nickel collector and OHNS member along with her husband Don Charters who also happens to the Bourse chairman at the MSNS Convention. I shared my newest acquisitions along with those I had brought with me. She enjoyed seeing them and even tried to buy couple from me. Unfortunately for Rita, I declined her offer.
Both Art and I enjoyed this year’s MSNS Coin Show. We are now both eagerly looking forward to upcoming FUN Show and OHNS meeting and Auction. Hopefully, we’ll see you there. ~ Ralph Winter... OHNS-LM37

“Samhna Bó Donn”,  “Sun (not named)”,  “Star (not named)”  and  “Lugh Chromain”  −by Steven G. Adams

   The Celtic Lunar venerations are... Bó Donn ~ the brown cow or old crescent moon, Bó Orann ~ the dark cow or dark moon, Bó Ruad ~ the red cow or new crescent moon and Bó Finn ~ the white cow or full moon. Since Samhna is Celtic for November the result is: “November old crescent moon”. Some cultures call this moon a “dry moon”, one which held no water because it all poured out. On the other hand, other cultures said that such a moon is a “wet moon” because it allows the water to pour out!
   Lugh was credited with many powers. In Irish tradition, he was revered both as a formidable warrior and a master magician. Lugh aided Cu-Chulainn in his struggles against the Connacht forces and helped the craft Gods to forge their magic weapons. Later, his craftsman's role became more emphasized and he was known as Lugh Chromain (“Little stooping Lugh”) or, in its anglicized form, the prototype of the Leprechaun.

   Dusty and B.G. “Big-Grin” Johansson have been partners for several years now. They share everything; food, work, and even the bedroll. How they formed their association is a long story, but if you have the time I’ll tell it.
   B.G. made his fortune shipping freight on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula; and lost it in the crash of ’29. What little he didn’t lose, his wife took when she left him for a nightclub owner in Chicago.
   That was pretty much the final straw for Johansson; he caught a west-bound with just the clothes on his back. That was a few years ago and his possibles haven’t increased a whole lot.
   The aspen leaves were just starting to turn when B.G. found a couple days work on a small farm near Denver. Digging spuds wasn’t B.G.’s favorite work but he did have a fondness for tater soup. Each night he was allowed to bed down in the barn with the animals. Alfalfa hay is the Waldorf Astoria of hobo bedding; clean and so fresh smelling you can’t help but have sweet dreams.
   One rainy night the farmer’s dog brought her litter of pups inside the barn. Farmers have little use for more than one good dog at a time, so pups are not generally considered an asset. The next morning the dog and her pups were gone except for one little mutt who had taken shelter inside B.G.’s bedroll.
   That was the beginning of a lifelong friendship. B.G. named him Dusty because each evening when they bed down for the night he would be all dusty from the days travel. This is the anniversary of their partnership; each year they celebrate the day with a fine dinner... just Dusty and “Big-Grin”. ~ Rick Ferry

Beckett “<BG>” George   

−by Michael Cirelli   

   As we have previously narrated... Beckett is a midwest transplant originally from Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He is known by one and all as <BG> which is his personal tag and shows up on boxcars from coast to coast. We heard that he fell out of Silicon Valley during the dot-com diaspora so his tag makes sense. Of course, the “BG” could be his initials but, since he invariably has a BIG GRIN on his mug, we take the <BG> literally. We were so impressed with Beckett's unflagging good humor that we convinced our eldest daughter to name our brand-new Grandboy “Beckett George Hanna”.
   When B.G. “Big-Grin” Johansson arrived here in the Kansa Territories... he and <BG>, upon noting their similar monikers, ferreted out that they were Grandfather and Grandson ~ namesakes!
   It turns out that <BG>'s Dad's stepfather, Torbjörn Johansson, a notorious Chicago night club owner, had adopted him as an infant after Big-Grin had hit the road in 1930. As one might expect under these circumstances, <BG> had never known his paternal Grandfather nor his original family name... he had always been a “Hanna” after all. It is not surprizing that both men ended up with virtually identical monikers... blood always tells! ~ V-Dubya

Nam Nickels 

Ralph schlepping radio

Bob Shamey's Carving

Unit Patch

Back in 1970 I was invited by my Uncle Sam to experience a one year outing in the fun and sun capital of Southeast Asia otherwise known as the Republic of Vietnam. I spent much of my time as Radio Operator in the U.S. Army’s Charlie Company of the 11th Infantry Brigade of the 23rd (or Americal) Infantry Division.
Thirty-five years later I decided it might be fun to commission a hobo nickel artist or two to carve my 1970-71 image on a Buffalo nickel. Two artists responded to my challenge and provided me with two very different yet artistic interpretations. I provided each with a couple of faded photos of myself (see below) while serving in Nam.

	Ralph in helicopter somewhere over Vietnam	Lee Griffith's Carving	Ralph with friend in Vietnam

The first carver to send me his creation was Bob Shamey. Bob’s carving is on a 1937 Buffalo nickel and depicts me carrying a radio wearing my helmet. You’ll also notice that Bob has added the 23rd Infantry Division patch and a helicopter to the carving. Bob correctly surmised that I spent more than few hours going from place to place riding in those birds.
Lee Griffiths put his interpretation on a 1913 Buffalo Nickel. Lee chose to show me wearing a soft hat or “Jungle hat.”
Both carvers did a great job, and I’m very pleased with my recent acquisitions. By the way, these are the first hobo nickels I've had commissioned with a particular subject in mind. ~ Ralph Winter... Monday, 28 November 2005, 11:29AM

My First Train! 

“Thomas” of Sodor  

I decided to take a break from carving baseball players, movie stars and outlaws to try something new. I should say new to me. I realize trains are a staple to hobo nickel carving, however I must admit to knowing little about them. With all my carvings I start with an inspired idea and research the subject. With this carving I consulted a resident expert or shall I say an expert living in my residence. My son James.
James is 4 years old and loves trains more than anything in the world (except his mommy). His knowledge of trains is vast and detailed. In this carving (#14)... the subject is my son's favorite toy train “Thomas”. James tells me Thomas is a very useful engine. He lives on the island Sodor and has many train friends. Thomas and his friends learn how to work together. Thanks to James for his expert advise on this subject.
This carving poses a question. Where does it all begin? The passion for something we collect or love to do. Trains, baseball, art, coins.....whatever. As a child? Was it a neat coin you once found sparkling on the ground? Was it a great drawing you made in school? Was it a new pack of baseball cards that came with stick of gum inside? Or maybe... it was your first toy train. ~ Amy Armstrong... Thursday, 3 November 2005, 9:29PM