Double Strike Morgan Dollar - Hobo Coin - Collectible, Great Looking Coin

Description

Double Strike Morgan Dollar - Hobo Coin
The
hobo nickel
is a
sculptural
art
form involving the creative modification of small-denomination
coins
, resulting in miniature
bas reliefs
. The United States
nickel
coin was favored because of its size, thickness, and softness; but the term
hobo nickel
is generic, carvings having been made from many denominations. Because of its low cost and its portability, this medium was particularly popular among
hobos
, hence the name.
The altering of coins dates from the 18th century or earlier. Beginning in the 1850s, the most common form of coin alteration was the "potty coin", engraved on
United States Seated Liberty coinage
(half dime through trade dollar) and modifying Liberty into a figure sitting on a
chamber pot
. This period was also the heyday of the love token, which was made by machine-smoothing a coin (usually a
silver
one, such as a
Morgan dollar
) on one or both sides, then
engraving
it with initials,
monograms
, names, scenes, etc., often with an ornate border. Hundreds of thousands of coins were altered in this manner. They were often mounted on pins or incorporated into bracelets and necklaces. The love-token fad waned in the early 20th century; love tokens engraved on
buffalo nickels
are rare.