Artist Chris Ovdiyenko has created a series of modern hobo nickels based on “some of the most iconic coins,” imagining what they would look like if they were overengraved by someone with a delightfully morbid sensibility.
He’s fully funded and has unlocked a lot of high-ticket stretch goals. The coins start at $14, and he’s successfully shipped three other kickstarters — all custom decks of cards — and, in another guise, was responsible for these amazing coins (which I own!), so he seems like a good bet for your crowdfunding dollars.
The ‘R.I.P.’ – 1922 Peace DollarArguably the most beautiful coin ever produced, the U.S. Peace Dollar was originally produced to commemorate the peace that followed World War One. My rendition features a skull portrait (keeping the radiant crown) on the front (obverse), and two skeletal hands breaking a rifle on the back (reverse). Interesting to note that the ‘broken rifle’ was abstracted into the Peace Symbol we know today. Rest in Peace! Aged with an antique silver-finish. As with all the coins, this is a 39mm die-struck, hefty 12 gauge coin.
The ‘Bad Mojo’ – 1936 Buffalo Nickel
My take on the classic buffalo nickel hobo coin (popular because it was a ‘soft’ coin to carve), features a skeleton Chief with a no-nonsense attitude on the front, and an intricately carved buffalo skeleton on the back. Aged with an antique silver-finish. As with all the coins, this is a 39mm die-struck, hefty 12 gauge coin.
The ‘Walking Reaper’ – 1936 Walking Liberty Half Dollar
Scares the sh*t outta me—and that’s a good thing! Based on what is considered one the most beautiful coins of all time, the Walking Liberty Dollar. Front side (obverse) features a grim reaper you never want to meet, and the back of the coin shows a Poe-esque scene with a raven. Nevermore! Aged with an antique silver-finish. As with all the coins, this is a 39mm die-struck, hefty 12 gauge coin.
The ‘Old Hobo’ – 1891 Morgan Dollar
Even hobos like a drink! The front face (obverse) of the coin features a hobo skeleton enjoying a pint. The back side (reverse) shows a skeleton hobo chilling in a box car with his loyal dog companion. Aged with an antique silver-finish. As with all the coins, this is a 39mm die-struck, hefty 12 gauge coin.
Hobo Coins [Chris Ovdiyenko/Kickstarter]
(Thanks, Joseph Francis!)
