2017-10-18 Wed

James Earle Fraser’s Indian Head 5-cent piece was introduced in 1913 and was circulated till 1938. They featured a Native American on the obverse and bison on the reverse. Unlike any other US coin, Carvers modified the coin designs to develop interesting folk art on these coins. Some of these carved “hobo nickels” were offered by Kagin’s Auctions on 15th September at the West Coast Auction.

A “Bo” carved 1929 Indian Head 5-cent piece was sold for $4,465. George Washington “Bo” Hughes created many of these designs. Experts believe that he was born circa 1900, left home in 1915 and finally disappeared in 1980. He incurred a hand injury in 1957, after which the quality of his carvings diminished. “Bo” and his teacher Bertram “Bert” Wiegand are considered as “Old Masters” of these types of coins.

The offered coin features the Native American with a beard wearing a hat. There are several other variations of this type as well. It comes from the carver’s best period made using all his classic methods. Typical Bo elements include the hat, hatband, and bow, the styled hair/beard, ear, eye, ski nose, and mouth.