Hobo Coins are Based on Depression Era Coin Carvings

During the Great Depression, the wandering unemployed found some artistic expression in carving new portraits and scenes into coinage, most popularly the Buffalo Nickel. Since then, genuine carved coins have become valuable pieces of US History and collectors aren’t likely to want to part with them. Now, Chris Ovdiyenko has taken it upon himself to bring the art style back into the spotlight with Hobo Coins, four minted coins with original designs based on Depression era coin carvings. The coins are significantly larger than the Buffalo Nickel, weighing about the same as five quarters and larger than a US Dollar coin (if you’ve ever see one of those). Since Kickstarter stretch goals were met, the coins are available with antique silver and bronze finishes, as well as solid copper and brass plated steel. A longer stretch goal, the solid silver coins, is dictated by silver’s market price, but here’s hoping it’s met, as it’d be the most authentic tribute to the originals.