Introducing “Round Shoulder”
−by Art DelFavero RM552
{ from Spring 2008 BoTales }
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Back in April of 2007 I sent a photograph and a story to Verne Walrafen which he posted on the OHNS website. It told of my thirteen year pursuit and success to purchase a nickel from a fellow antique dealer. After said purchase, I discovered two more specimens that matched it in style, thus fitting the criteria for properly nicknaming this artist who I am calling “Round Shoulder.” Specimen #1 was purchased on 7-24-02 in an eBay auction for the sum of $132.25. Specimen #2 was purchased in the OHNS 2005 auction for the sum of $357.50. Specimen #3 (my nickel) was purchased in April of 2007 for $175.00, averaging $221.58 across the board.
The carving characteristics for “Round Shoulder” are listed as follows:
1) All fields are exceptionally smooth and nearly wiped clean of all original detail
2) A rounded shoulder bearing no date
3) Nice collars with similar detailing
4) Beards created with finely punched diagonal slashes
5) Hair created the same way but the slashes are vertical
(all hair under the hat brim and over the forehead is engraved and blends well with combined punching)
6) Crescent shaped ear
7) Smooth domed hat with a brim pointed on both ends (only one contains any added detail)
8) Slightly altered profiles
My personal assessment of quality for this carver is above average to above average high.
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Introducing “Tex Ture”
−by Art DelFavero RM552
{ from Spring 2008 BoTales }
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On 9-11-06 I received a nickel won on eBay for the sum of $52.00. As always upon any new purchase, my instinct is to examine then activate a search for like nickels. After looking through our 3 reference books, I noticed only one match, which is found on page 28 of Steve Alpert's Hobo Nickel Guide (2nd row, 1st left). At this point I let some time pass.
Fast forwarding a couple of months, it was now time for one of my days dedicated to old Bo Tales and auction catalogues. This day proved to be fruitful. I found two matches for a couple of specimens, but my big find was in the 2005 auction. Lot 12 was a 3rd match for our soon to be nicknamed friend.
It did take a while to figure out a name, all three coins have distinct but non distinct attributes. At first the only one that stood out was that the ornament on the hat band was to the left of center, but on our 4th specimen which came by way of the 2008 OHNS auction this was not so. It was at this time I went to another feature, the textured hat. (textured hat, textured hat, “Tex Ture”) and now he's in the books.
In 2005 Lot 12 sold for $137.50, and in 2008 Lot 93 sold for $165.00 which gives us an average price of $ 118.16 (this price is based on only the three known hammers).
The carving characteristics for “Tex Ture” are listed as follows:
1) Wriggle cut textured hat
2) Very high domed hat
3) Identical hat band ornament positioned to the left side of the hat (greatly on 3 specimens),
4) Distinct cut behind the nostril
5) Alterations to the profile creating a similar face
6) Similar collars
7) Lightly featured hair and beard created by combination of punching an wriggling
8) Moderate work in the field
My personal assessment of quality for this carver is average to above average.
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Introducing “Percy”
−by Stephen P. Alpert LM10
{ from Spring 2008 BoTales }
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Article Expansion
$753 on eBay • Dec 2011
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This is an early hobo nickel carver with a distinct style, who I am here nicknaming “Percy” because of the pursed or puckered lips on one of the three specimens illustrated here.
“Percy” hobo nickels have these diagnostic features:
1) A derby, slightly flat on top.
2) A hatband with vertical lining and no bow.
3) A crescent-shaped hat brim with pointed ends that project just a short distance past the head.
The front brim points to E of LIBERTY.
4) A narrow small ear with some internal detail.
5) Short and neat hair-beard-mustache, made using a rough or textured punch. The chin is rounded.
6) There are parallel liner tool accent lines on the shirt collar, coat collar, shoulder, and usually also on the neck.
7) The profile is altered, with a rounded nose and enhanced nostril.
The lips may be pursed or puckered. The eye may be altered.
8) Found on early-dated buffalo nickels.
9) The nickel may be holed at top.
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