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Introducing “TriEye”
{ from  Fall 2007 BoTales }   −by Art DelFavero RM552 and Ralph Winter LM37
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   This article nicknames “TriEye” as the unknown old hobo artist who carved these three hobo nickels illustrated here.
   We choose “TriEye” because of the rather distinctive triangular outline of the eye. The first example above is carved on a 1913 Buffalo nickel. The first was won by Ralph Winter in an eBay auction in February, 2006. It is currently owned by Art DelFavero. The second coin was also won by Ralph Winter in an eBay auction in January of 2006. The third example was also purchased on eBay in February 2003 by an unknown buyer. (Unfortunately, we do not have a better photograph.)
   The diagnostic features of “TriEye” include:
    1) All executed on early dated nice quality nickels;
    2) Dotted eye surrounded by a triangle shape;
    3) Punched hair and beard by way of C shaped punch;
    4) Bangs that extend to the end of the forehead;
    5) Nice defined engraved ear;
    6) Rounded derby style hat which includes rim, band, bow and circle punched pattern on body;
    7) Simple but nice engraved collar;
    8) Use of various gravers including point, flat, and liner;
    9) Well dressed neck and field and
   10) Scraggily ended beard.
   This artist seems to have been a person that had hand engraving skills, and had access to many tools that are used by a jeweler or engraver.
Introducing “Sam Francisco” (a.k.a. The Missing Link)
{ from  Fall 2007 BoTales }   −by Art DelFavero RM552
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   For many years we have seen hobo nickels that exhibit the same carving techniques as well as equal finished component qualities. One great example is a highly prolific carver loosely named “The Missing Link.” Mostly known for his Neanderthal appearing Irishmen carvings, (hence the name,) this artist also created derby style works that feature the exact execution and finished product styles that are evident on the previously mentioned renderings. In the following months I will be properly naming a few of these artists, starting with the “he Missing Link.”br>
   In my research I have viewed about 20 of his carvings, and all nickels used were minted from San Francisco (hence the new name.) “am Francisco's”work is a little choppy but charming just the same. Ranging from below average to just above average his work stands well on its expression, and original carver status.
   The characteristics of his carvings are listed as follows:
    1) Rendered on San Francisco issued nickels;
    2) Crescent shaped punched used on hair and beard;
    3) Large raised metal ears heavily peened with a round end punch;
    4) Simple collars formed with 1 or 2 gravers strokes;
    5) Hats with just a brim (sometimes a hash marked band);
    6) Distortion to the nickel, due to heavy pounding;
    7) Choppy finish work on overall piece and
    8) Early dated nickels used.
   Many photo examples exist in your O.H.N.S. literature, website, and book!!!
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