#n/a Joint Carving - Billzach, Amy Armstrong

This hobo nickel is a one time only joint carving by Billzach (Bill Jameson) and Amy Armstrong. Bill carved the obverse of this hobo nickel, and Amy carved the reverse. This collaborative effort took place on a 1936 Buffalo Nickel.

The obverse features an elderly hobo with curved textured hat, great facial features, including a pronounced nose, and a striped jacket.

The reverse features an elderly hiking Hobo with a beard and mustache. This walking hobo is also wearing a bowler hat and is carrying a bindle stick over his shoulder.   SOLD

#112 Memento Mori Hobo Nickel

Carved on the reverse side of a 1937 Buffalo Nickel is "Memento Mori." Memento mori is a Latin phrase that means "Remember your mortality," "Remember you must die," or "Remember you will die." It refers to artwork with a purpose: to remind people of their mortality. Even though you may not be familiar with the Memento Mori art form, it is still quite prominently displayed in many areas of the world -- the Mexican festival, Day of the Dead -- Día de los Muertos, for example.

This Hobo Nickel carving is based on the type of gravestones that were popular during the 16th and 17th century. The gravestone features a human skull, wings, and a scroll engraved edge.   SOLD

#n/a Pirate Skull Hobo Nickel Pendant

Carved on a 1937 Full Horn Buffalo Nickel is "Pirate Skull." This nickel is based on an earlier carving of the same subject, see earlier carving. The customer wanted it as a pendant, so I mounted it in a sterling silver coin bezel with silver bail. In order to make this hobo nickel unique I engraved it with a few minor changes (compared to the other carving) and gave it a highly polished finish. As with the other hobo nickel this engraving displays the skull of a pirate with a bandana tied around his or her skull and a large gold earring.   SOLD

#111 Hiking Hobo - Hobo Nickel

Carved on the reverse side of a 1937 Buffalo Nickel is a Hiking Hobo. This hobo nickel shows a hobo who is wearing a bowler hat and is carrying a sack over his left shoulder. The bag appears textured, perhaps it is showing the wear and tear of years of use. Was it even new when he got it? We will never know. Perhaps the bag is showing the outines of the hobo's only worldly possessions other than his clothing. His pants are patched and his upturned face shows a full beard. What is his eye fixed upon as he takes another step?   SOLD

#110 Santa (Claus) Hobo Nickel

Carved on the reverse side of a 1929 Buffalo Nickel is Santa. Santa, also known as Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Noel, Pere Noel among many others is shown here with full beard, wearing traditional Santa outfit and hat. He is wearing mittens, because even Santa gets cold, and is carrying a big bag of toys over his shoulder. Will he be leaving toys or a lump of coal this Christmas?   SOLD

#109 Coyote Call Hobo Nickel

Carved on a 1937 Full Horn Buffalo Nickel is Coyote Call. The coyote is carved in a howling position with its head tilted back and mouth wide open. It appears to be calling to the moon, its pack, or lover. Hopefully, what ever its calling out to is not lost. The coyote has nicely caved facial features and fur. Coyote Call was also the subject of a previous coin engraving that I carved on an Indian Head Penny. See the penny here.   SOLD

#108 Hobo Rit Hobo Nickel

Carved on a 1936 Full Horn Buffalo Nickel is Hobo Rit. Rit is a hobo nickel carving which depicts a clean shaven Hobo, with sideburns, wearing a bowler hat. The bowler hat that Rit is wearing has a hatband that has either a pattern or knot engraved in it. This hobo nickel is carved in traditional style with a clean, smooth background.   SOLD

#107 A Little Steam Engine Hobo Nickel

Carved on the reverse side of a 1924 Buffalo Nickel is A Little Steam Engine. This hobo nickel depicts a steam locomotive (train) barreling down the railroad tracks belching smoke or steam. The boiler, cab, capuchon (chimney), cowcatcher, piston and connecting rods that transfer the power to the wheels are clearly visible. A whistle or bell, to alert others to the train's proximity, and what appears to be a gas/oil lamp are also seen in this hobo nickel. The railroad tracks, rails, are clearly supported by a large number of railway ties.

Where is this engraving of a train going? One can only wonder, but it's going somewhere and it's sure to arrive soon. The background is relieved and left clean.   SOLD

#106 Corporal Little Hobo Nickel

Carved on the reverse side of an indian head nickel is Corporal Little. Corporal Little is carved from the metal of the original buffalo and features a marching, bearded civil War soldier. The corporal is seen on this hobo nickel wearing a traditional kepi (cap), Uniform, and is carrying a rifle, bedroll, and backpack. The rifle that is hand engraved on this hobo nickel appears to be of the flint era (lock, stock, and barrel). The uniform shows two stripes on the left shoulder denoting the corporal's rank. There is also a stripe down the left side of the corporal's pants.   SOLD

#105 Dragon Tails Hobo Nickel

Carved on the reverse side of a 1934 Buffalo Nickel is Dragon Tails. Dragon Tails is an inspired coin engraving that features the sculpted body of a dragon sitting on his/her haunches with wings splayed. The dragon sports a 24 karat yellow gold inlay eye, tail tip, and claw. The dragon's body is textured to give the illusion of scales, while the wings have a different texturing suggesting a leathery look.   SOLD