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ANA Honors Ron Landis With Medallic
Sculpture Award
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For Immediate Release: August 2, 2003
Contact: Stephen Bobbitt
Telephone: 719/632-2646 x113
E-mail: pr@money.org
The American Numismatic Association (ANA) confers its 2003 Numismatic Art Award for Excellence in Medallic Sculpture in recognition of contributions to numismatic art.
This year's recipient is Ron Landis of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. With partner Joe Rust, he founded the Gallery Mint Museum in 1992 with the intention of building a working museum that demonstrates the evolution of coin-making technology, from Ancient Greece through the Industrial Revolution. As the Museum's chief engraver and vice president, Landis currently specializes in the reproduction of rare, early U.S. coin types using traditional methods. He also is well-known in the field for creating hand-engraved coins known as "hobo nickels."
Landis is a member of the American Medallic Sculpture Association, Token and Medal Society, Early American Coppers, Original Hobo Nickel Society and Arkansas Numismatic Society. He also has served as an instructor in the ANA Summer Seminar's "Art of Engraving" class.
Says Thomas D. Rogers Sr., former U.S. Mint engraver and 2000 winner of this prestigious award, "Through his re-creations of American coinage and production processes, Ron Landis has created a portal to the past. He has brought to the public a hands-on explanation of how our early coinage was made. With his humorous, 'it's-in-there-somewhere' style, he has revitalized interest in hobo-nickel carving," Rogers adds. "Ron is a hard-working, honest and sincere artist and engraver, as well as a teacher."
Landis' artistic work and dedication to his craft have made him well-deserving of this award. Therefore, in appreciation of his commitment to excellence in medallic sculpture, the American Numismatic Association presents an engraved medal, designed by the late Gilroy Roberts, to Ron Landis and expresses the sincere appreciation of its members.
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Illustrations are some of Ron's
favorite creations (not part of ANA's release.)
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From the Bill Fivaz Collection
Among these August 1st 2003 Bowers and Merena Session
Four ANA Auction specimens are some of the very finest nickel
carvings by George Washington "Bo" Hughes! All ten individual
coin lots are accompanied by certificates from The Original Hobo
Nickel Society and were examined by Steve Alpert on November 21,
2002 and Gail Baker on November 27, 2002.
eBay item 2183430479 (Aug-01-03 11:21:57PDT) -
1937 Miscellaneous Tokens and Medal No Grade.
B&M#3476
1937 Buffalo "Hobo" nickel. AU. Self-portrait of Bo. Rated Superior (low) by Steve and Above Average (high) by Gail. Artist: Bo.
Steve: "This self-portrait of Bo is a partial cameo, as the bust is still attached to the edge of the coin. Here he is bald on top, so Bo represents his appearance at about age 60. Beautifully carved hair, pushed metal ear, altered nose, simple collar. The recessed field (with Liberty removed) is nice, but is not flat."
Gail: "Beautifully carved nickel. Nice details. Some spots on coin. The carving, while beautifully done, is simple in detail. Self portrait of Bo by Bo on a high-quality nickel."
$950+15% Buyer'sFee=>$1,093
eBay item 2183430594 (Aug-01-03 11:22:29PDT) -
Philadelphia Mint Buffalo "Hobo" nickel. AU.
B&M#3477
Circus clown Emmett Kelly. Rated Superior by Steve and Superior by Gail. Artist... Bo.
Steve: "This is a great cameo by Bo of Emmett Kelly, signed and dated on the neck truncation 'E KELLY GH 50.' Nice flat-topped hat, finely-carved hair, beautiful 'raised stubble' beard and mustache around clown make-up lips, and excellent raised metal ear with internal details. Recessed field is a bit uneven above the hat."
Gail: "Beautiful detail with a variety of carving techniques and interesting, not-so-common features. A classic cameo carving by the most well known of the original hobo carvers."
$2,400+15% Buyer'sFee=>$2,760
eBay item 2183430597 (Aug-01-03 11:22:57PDT) -
Philadelphia Mint Buffalo "Hobo" nickel. EF.
B&M#3478
Bo's brother wearing Army helmet. Rated Superior (low) by Steve and Above Average by Gail. Artist... Bo.
Steve: "This is a portrait of Bo's brother who was in WWI, wearing an army helmet. The date '1919' is carved on the shoulder. Nice helmet and chinstrap, carved hair and ear, raised stubble beard and mustache, altered nose, simple collar. Nicely dressed field with Liberty removed."
Gail: "Popular style carving with several different carving techniques used. Nice details. Interesting use of techniques to create a favorite subject - WWI soldiers."
$1,200+15% Buyer'sFee=>$1,380
eBay item 2183430470 (Aug-01-03 11:23:14PDT) -
1936 Buffalo "Hobo" nickel. EF.
B&M#3479
Totally carved hobo nickel tribute to Babe Ruth. Rated Superior by Steve and Superior by Gail. Artist... Bo.
Steve: "A very well done portrait of the Bambino. Beautiful baseball cap, carved hair, raised-metal ear. Altered profile and mouth. Engraved on neck is 'BABE '95-'48'; bust below this inscription is unaltered except for the vertical front of the neck."
Gail: "The subject matter and detail on the cap along with inscription make this above average carving 'superior.' Unsigned example. The 'curved chisel' hair style is different from Bo's usual style. The cap is superb! This is a familiar subject, however the inscription makes this carving very special."
$1,600+15% Buyer'sFee=>$1,840
eBay item 2183430481 (Aug-01-03 11:23:27PDT) -
1937-S Buffalo "Hobo" nickel. EF.
B&M#3480
Hatless man, wearing glasses. Rated Above Average (high) by Steve and Superior by Gail. Artist... Bo.
Steve: "A nice portrait by Bo of a hatless man with a full head of hair. Man is wearing glasses; profile is extensively altered. Nice ear, nicely dressed neck, simple double collar and necktie. Decently dressed field."
Gail: "The detail in the various features - hair, profile, glasses, coat and tie, ear makes this carving superior. Although un-signed, this subject is attributed to Bo although in Del Romines 1st book (page 105) a similar carving is attributed to 'Bert.' Some believe this may be a portrait of Bo's doctor."
$1,100+15% Buyer'sFee=>$1,265
eBay item 2183430466 (Aug-01-03 11:23:46PDT) -
1931-S Buffalo "Hobo" nickel. VF.
B&M#3481
Bearded man wearing derby. Rated Above Average (high) by Steve and Above Average by Gail. Artist... Bo.
Steve: "The hat has a thin raised straight brim, with a bow on the band. Very finely carved hair, beard, mustache. The prominent raised metal outer ear rises vertically outward. Altered profile: recessed forehead and long nose. Neck and field decently dressed. No collar."
Gail: "Design of the ear is quite different from other carvings by Bo, but the hat detail, band, hair, beard and profile are definitely the same."
$650+15% Buyer'sFee=>$748
eBay item 2183430474 (Aug-01-03 11:24:01PDT) -
1936-D Buffalo "Hobo" nickel. VF.
B&M#3482
Clown. Rated Above Average (high) by Steve and Superior by Gail. Artist... Bo.
Steve: "The small flat-topped hat high upon the head has a long thin straight brim, and a flower drooping downward. The vertically-carved hair end in a zigzag length pattern. Clown make-up around eye and mouth. Nice large ear with lobe. Altered profile, strong jawline. No collar. Nicely dressed field and neck."
Gail: "Fabulous carving of clown - a wonderfully different (but not rare) and eagerly collected subject. The hat with droopy flower is a very different element - even for other clowns."
$1,100+15% Buyer'sFee=>$1,265
eBay item 2183430596 (Aug-01-03 11:24:30PDT) -
Philadelphia Mint Buffalo "Hobo" nickel. EF.
B&M#3483
Hatless and beardless man. Rated Above Average by Steve and Average by Gail. Artist... Unknown but possibly Bo.
Steve: "Hatless man; hair textured by wedge-like cuts. Oval ear. Altered profile. Engraved on neck and should is 'THE LORD IS MY SHEP., LAST NIGHT I SLEPT WITH SHEEP. VIDA, MONT., AUG '38.' No collar. Nicely dressed field. Possibly carved by Bo, but hair is very different from his usual style. This piece has been featured in the books on hobo nickels."
Gail: "The quality of the carving may be average but the subject with inscribed story is definitely not. This is a unique carving. Wonderful piece - highly desirable."
$2,200+15% Buyer'sFee=>$2,530
eBay item 2183430478 (Aug-01-03 11:25:05PDT) -
1937 Buffalo "Hobo" nickel. EF.
B&M#3484
Bearded man wearing derby. Rated Above Average (high) by Steve and Superior by Gail. Artist... Bertram "Bert" Wiegand.
Steve: "A very nice carving by Bert (Bo's mentor), signed BERT using the letters from Liberty. Nice hat, ear, hair, beard, mustache. Narrow hat brim and band, with bowtie. Simple collar. Nicely dressed field. Profile unaltered except for slight straightening of nose. One of Bert's later works."
Gail: "Fantastic carving of a typical subject. Finely carved hair, beard, hat with band, ear and collar. Signed BERT. Some discoloration on coin."
$1,600+15% Buyer'sFee=>$1,840
eBay item 2183430429 (Aug-01-03 11:25:29PDT) -
1913 Buffalo "Hobo" nickel. VF.
B&M#3485
Hiking hobo reverse carving. Rated Superior by Steve and Superior by Gail. Artist... Bo.
Steve: "The buffalo is altered to a hiking hobo, holding a walking staff in his left had. Nicely carved hat, ear, hair, beard, and profile. The hobo is thin, with a backpack, and prominent belt, and a nicely carved arm and hand. The field is nicely dressed."
Gail: "Classic reverse carving - extremely well detailed. Reverse carvings are a small percentage of hobo nickel carvings. This one extremely well done and has great eye appeal."
$950+15% Buyer'sFee=>$1,093
eBay item 2183430469 (Aug-01-03 11:25:56PDT) -
1935-1936 Buffalo F-EF.
B&M#3486
A remarkable collection of 13 hobo nickels, carved to represent Jesus and his 12 disciples, Judas, Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James, Thaddaeus, and Simon. For the trivia buff, there were two different disciples named James. Housed in a custom "Capital" plastic style holder. This is a delightful collection that will certainly be enthusiastically pursued by bidders in our sale. Each nickel representing the different disciples as a number from 1 through 12 carved on the reverse. (Total: 13 pieces)
$1,100+15% Buyer'sFee=>$1,265
eBay item 2183430590 (Aug-01-03 11:26:43PDT) -
Mostly 1935-1936 Buffalo "Hobo" nickels G-F.
B&M#3487
Mostly 1935-1936 Buffalo "Hobo" nickels G-F with some earlier dates represented. Examples from all three Mints are represented. A splendid collection of 39 hobo nickels, carved to represent the first 39 presidents through Ronald Reagan. An additional uncarved coin is included in the collection to represent the original Buffalo nickel design. Housed in two custom "Capital" plastic style holder. A desirable collection for the history student. (Total: 39 pieces)
$500+15% Buyer'sFee=>$575
I want to thank Bill Jameson for telling me about these Bill Fivaz
collection specimens. My "Hobo Nickel" search mechanism for eBay
didn't return these so I would never have known about their sale.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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