Greysheet Podcast: What Are Hobo Nickels? The Fascinating Story Behind These Unique Coins [Video]

What exactly is a Hobo Nickel — and why can some of these carved coins sell for thousands of dollars?

In this episode of the Greysheet Market Report Podcast, John Feigenbaum sits down with longtime collector Candice Kagin to explore the fascinating world of Hobo Nickels — a unique intersection of American history, folk art, and numismatics.

Candice shares the story behind her collection of more than 600 Hobo Nickels, including works attributed to legendary carvers Bert Wiegand and George “Bo” Hughes. She explains how these unusual carved Buffalo Nickels originated, the role they played in Hobo culture, how collectors identify unknown carvers, and what makes certain pieces especially valuable.

The conversation also explores the difference between classic, modern, and contemporary Hobo Nickel carvings, how these coins are authenticated, what collectors should look for, and why the stories behind individual carvings can be just as fascinating as the coins themselves.

Candice is also preparing to sell portions of her collection through multiple auctions, giving collectors an opportunity to own pieces from one of the most unusual areas of American numismatics.