Hobo Nickels
Does any one know why these are called hobo nickels? Did a hobo come out with the idea? Please answer in the comment section.
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Does any one know why these are called hobo nickels? Did a hobo come out with the idea? Please answer in the comment section.
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user_7180
Level 5
It looks like you already got good feedback!
luv2collect
Level 4
that's where wooden nickels came from, right?
WinkWink
Level 4
Along the same lines, Hobo's were known for counterfeiting 'nickels' from just about anything, soup can lids, plugs of lead, sawn up broom handles, carved, and rolled in bacon grease and ashes to get the right color. The phrases, "Don't take any wooden nickels!" and, "Not worth a plug nickel" come from this era
WinkWink
Level 4
During the Great Depression a person could be arrested for vagrancy, and set to 90 days hard labor, if they were unable to produce the price of a nights lodging, when asked to do so by a policeman. So most Hobos would keep a nickel that they would never spend, and many of them would carve and customize them, and sell them or keep them as lucky charms
user_4542
Level 4
thanks wink
user_4542
Level 4
Ok thanks guys!
nachos10
Level 4
And also, a nickel during that time could get a person a good nights sleep in a motel, so hobos used to express their art on these coins
user_9998
Level 5
Hobo nickels are buffalo nickels that have been carved to look like a hobo, which were poor (as in not rich) worker which were common sights when the buffalo nickel was circulating.