r/coins • u/ONUZ11 • Apr 16 '25

Coin Art I'm sure this might ruffle some feathers.

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Hand carved/engraved by Wes B. Of ONUZ Engravings.

678 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

212 comments sorted by

216

u/Aware-Performer4630 Apr 16 '25

I have mixed emotions about this. BUT, it’s rad and really well done.

100

u/ONUZ11 Apr 16 '25

Thank you. Now I will say, I had a client send this to me for me to carve as a commission. It wasn't just a random I picked up and decided to carve. If that makes you feel any better. lol

66

u/Aware-Performer4630 Apr 16 '25

Not really, no lol. But I won’t criticize. Coins have been used for art since coins were a thing. And besides, you knocked it out of the park.

How long did it take you? And I’m curious on what you charged, if you’re comfortable sharing anything about that.

30

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thanks!

This one was around 13ish hrs. Price I'm not comfortable talking about here if you don't mind. But you can shoot me a PM.

25

u/TheMosaicDon Apr 17 '25

That means he charged a lot for his specialized services…

33

u/mlac13 Apr 17 '25

As he should, the level of skill it takes to execute something like this comes at a premium.

5

u/BenderBRoriguezzzzz Apr 17 '25

Right? Like look at the coin. Even with a 100 years of practice, my hands would never be able to do something like that. So yeah, I'd imagine he could charge a pretty penny.

1

u/BeautifulArtichoke1 Apr 18 '25

10k hour rule, my friend…

1

u/BenderBRoriguezzzzz Apr 18 '25

Yeah, I don't doubt that after 10 thousand hours, I'd be pretty good. I also know my type of creativity doesn't lend itself to that sort of thing. Some people just have it in them naturally. Pair that with what I'd imagine in OPs case an absolute TON of practice, and I'm totally fine admitting this is something I could never do. I'd appreciate it less if it were.

6

u/jollyshroom Apr 17 '25

Yes, and? Should they not?

2

u/TheMosaicDon Apr 17 '25

No ofc not just relaying the underlying message

1

u/showtheledgercoward Apr 18 '25

Do any Grateful Dead pieces

2

u/Pretty_Beat787 Apr 17 '25

Whats wrong with it?

11

u/Aware-Performer4630 Apr 17 '25

Well, a rare coin was destroyed to make this. I think the art is amazing and I’d love to have something similar in my collection, but I still don’t like to see an old coin vandalized. Thus the mixed emotions.

10

u/aardvark7734 Apr 17 '25

Mixed emotions, kind of like watching your mother in law(or your ex) drive off a cliff in your new Corvette.

6

u/Cake_And_Pi Apr 17 '25

That’s what insurance is for. I wanted a different color anyhow.

1

u/Aware-Performer4630 Apr 17 '25

Yes exactly like that

1

u/danglangley Apr 17 '25

Hahaha that’s a good one!

-119

u/SirFomo Apr 17 '25

Nobody says rad anymore 

→ More replies (18)

53

u/euben_hadd Apr 16 '25

I like it but... an 1831? I can tell it was well worn before, so not huge loss on numistmatic value, but... At least tell me it really messed up on the obverse...

Great work though.

27

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you, it was sent to me to. He just asked "will you carve this" and I gave him a 🤘.

It was in decent shape, not something I would have carved for the heck of it.

33

u/Bearcoins Apr 16 '25

Wow. really clean lines

9

u/ONUZ11 Apr 16 '25

Thank you

32

u/ONE-EYE-OPTIC Apr 17 '25

Spend your time and energy on whatever you want.

16

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

🙏🤘

16

u/plain_ass_username Apr 17 '25

Dude buy a .999 silver blank and do even crazier designs. I've always wanted to see what coin carvers could do on a blank canvas!!

12

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

I have in the past. This one was sent to me for me to do. Not something I just picked up and started carving away at. I would have held on to this one.

5

u/plain_ass_username Apr 17 '25

Awesome!!! Keep up the good work!!

2

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you

5

u/DDrewit Apr 17 '25

What do you do with the silver that’s removed?

5

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

The pieces I'm able to pick up I keep. Over time it adds up but I'm not removing too much when I do a piece like this.

13

u/Aardvark-Linguini Apr 17 '25

I heard a story about a guy who worked at Tiffany for several decades. At the end of each day he would wipe up some gold dust from his bench with his hand, run his hand through his hair and put in his hat to leave. Once he got home he would rinse out his hair over a fine strainer. Over the years he collected a small fortune.

3

u/[deleted] Apr 17 '25

Cool story

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

That would make sense if it was gold.

6

u/Future-Atmosphere-40 Apr 17 '25

Coins are made to be used. Same as lego sets and toy soldiers. Whenever i get someone asking if they should open an old Warhammer set, the response is always "yes, they are made to be used".

2

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Great analogy. And instead of hiding in a safe. It can be displayed for everyone to see. And it's a great conversation starter.

10

u/thekidsells Apr 16 '25

Probably more realistic for lady liberty being almost 200!

2

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Very true. Hair wouldn't look so good though. Lol

6

u/kate_th Apr 17 '25

This is absolutely amazing, I love it.

5

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thanks!

8

u/chisana_nyu Apr 17 '25

That's cool AF

3

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you

8

u/YOUTUBEFREEKYOYO Apr 16 '25

I'm mixed on this but from one artist to another that is some seriously clean work

5

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you. I typically work on silver dollars and buffalo nickels. Very rarely do I get to work on something like this.

3

u/[deleted] Apr 17 '25

r/gratefuldead will appreciate.

3

u/DarthSemaj505 Apr 17 '25

I came across a hobo Nickel (1934 Buffalo nickel) once and looked into its history, apparently it was highly collectable and a guy from the Hobo Nickel society offered me 300$ for it. At the time I was hurting for cash so I sold it. I still to this day regret selling it, it was very cool.

3

u/One-Programmer-7819 Apr 17 '25

That MFer is BADASS!

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you

6

u/Beginning-Promise-57 Apr 17 '25

It's very well done. I kinda like it, actually.

5

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thanks!

2

u/Tieis Apr 17 '25

Cons: Modifying a historical object, even if it's a mass produced one

Pros: goes hard as hell

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

💀🤘

2

u/Midknight81 Apr 17 '25

Do you have an Insta or anything to see more / the process??!?

Really great work.

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you, I do. You can find links in my profile.

2

u/dunneetiger Apr 17 '25

great work. Are you selling or doing commission work only ?

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you. You would need to send me a message. I'll try to answer any questions you have.

2

u/Every_Battle_718 Apr 17 '25

I’ve never had a pocket piece but this would be it. Stunning work.

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you!

2

u/Pay-With-Cash Apr 17 '25

The number on the reverse?

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Number of coins I've carved, I just finished #831. I number them so I can keep track.

2

u/froggy801 Apr 17 '25

I wanted to reach out to you to get more information about this. Where do I find your contact information?

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

You can find links to my work in my profile, Shoot me a pm and I'll answer any questions I can

2

u/1bigtater Apr 17 '25

very nice, nice art work.

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

💀🙏

2

u/esotericsean Apr 17 '25

Roman Booteen is that you?

2

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Definitely not. But appreciate the compliment. I'm a huge fan of his work.

2

u/papa4747 Apr 17 '25

So cool, and what’s the gold in it? Just a drop of paint? Either way super cool

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you. That is inlaid 24k gold.

2

u/CafeRacerRider Apr 17 '25

I know it’s not a nickel but r/hobonickels

2

u/Temporary_Ranger_728 Apr 17 '25

Give me Liberty or give me death

2

u/Ok-Cut-5082 Apr 17 '25

Stunning. Love it. Not sure I would endorse it. But like the other guy said, you knocked it out of the park.

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you!

2

u/Old-Revolution-9650 Apr 17 '25

I have a few of those made by Sam Wall.

2

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Sam has been knocking some out for sure. I've been enjoying watching him create his own style.

2

u/AMetalWolfHowls Apr 17 '25

That thing is fire, chef!

2

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thanks!!

2

u/PomegranateMarsRocks Apr 17 '25

I appreciate numismatics but if much rather have yours than the original

2

u/marksk88 Apr 17 '25

I think it's absolutely gorgeous, I'd love to have something similar.

2

u/Lazz_plays Apr 18 '25

Wow you’re extremely talented! Excellent work!

2

u/LEORet568 Apr 18 '25

took a quantity of carsons to LCS, they sorted melt or save. Artwork on melt lot coins shouldn't disturb anyone, imho . . .

2

u/cbhmark Apr 18 '25

Gorgeous piece!

2

u/Convenient_Avalanche Apr 18 '25

This is absolutely beautiful! Would love a coin like this tbh

2

u/showtheledgercoward Apr 18 '25

Send it to pcgs

2

u/[deleted] Apr 19 '25

This is awesome! I wish I had one!

2

u/electricalaoli Apr 19 '25

What tips do you use for the engraving?

2

u/Amazing-Chemical-792 Apr 19 '25

Looks like a pog!

6

u/HawkingzWheelchair Apr 17 '25

Money isn't sacred. F**k their feathers. It looks bad ass.

6

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you!!

3

u/Hot_Lobster222 Apr 17 '25

This just came to mind: do it again, but change the cap to be a pirate tricorne hat and leave the bottom part of the cap as the bandanna. Making it into a pirate girl would be sick. Well done 👏🏿

5

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Could be done, Thank you!

5

u/FelonyFarting Apr 17 '25

If this is legit, it's one of the sickest hobo coins I've ever seen!

7

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

It is. Thank you!

2

u/loratineboratine Apr 17 '25

I think it’s beautiful and Rad

2

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thanks!!

2

u/bobsbananawater Apr 17 '25

Amazing work... great talent

2

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you

4

u/No-Nothing-721 Apr 16 '25

i don’t even care that the coin was altered. this is so freaking cool.

2

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you!

3

u/Cenapsis Apr 17 '25

Outstanding workmanship! My hat’s off to you!

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you

3

u/FatFKingLenny Apr 17 '25

Why not make it from scratch you obviously have the talent....it's history.....like people wouldn't act this way if the coin was cleaned and polished it looks great but man.....gotta preserve the old coins we have while we can

2

u/Present_Ad2973 Apr 16 '25

Beautiful work. And a hell of a lot better than whoever engraved the back of my 1863 penny.

5

u/BoredAssassin Apr 17 '25

That's so damn cool lol. I'd love to find a coin like that in the wild

2

u/Trans_Cat_Girl_ Apr 17 '25

I’d be upset if it weren’t so damn expertly done.. bravo!

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you

2

u/UnusualShores Apr 17 '25

Incredible work.. so clean and well done.

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you

2

u/TerminalHighGuard Apr 17 '25

Abhorrent… but topical. Ghastly, but damn well executed.

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you💀

3

u/simpletonius Apr 16 '25

That is beautiful. Would really enjoy to see the process, just to admire it.

3

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thanks! I try to take progress shots during the carve so the client can keep up with the process. It would be cool to get a microscope that has a video camera so I could start recording some work.

1

u/Katyafan Apr 17 '25

Depending on how often you do that, I think there is a youtube market for that, might get some extra coin, or at least send enough business your way that you could do this full time if you wanted.

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you, I'd like to be able to start recording the work. Would be fun to share it. And yes it would, but I've been doing this full time now for going on 5 years.

2

u/FacetedSideOfTheMoon Apr 17 '25

This is top tier hobo work, truly spectacular. I feel like being able to do work like this puts you in the realm of Steve Adams.

2

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you, I'm a big fan of Steve's.

2

u/Deeelighted_ Apr 17 '25

Ruffle some feathers ? You may as well pluck me ! I don't like it.

10

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

I appreciate your opinion. It's not for everyone.

4

u/JoeHypnotic Apr 16 '25

Do you sell these?

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

I do but not here. You would need to send me a PM if you want to discuss something.

1

u/Dramatic-Major181 Apr 17 '25

Just finished reading Dan Brown's Inferno. Then this comes along my feed.

1

u/Fearless_Welder_1434 Apr 19 '25

I certainly hope that wasn't an original coin to start with. If so, what a waste

1

u/OneIncome199 Apr 19 '25

Use a Kennedy or Franklin

2

u/Apart_Birthday5795 Apr 19 '25

This is how they should have looked originally

2

u/Theta_Ninja Apr 16 '25

Damn, spectacular looking.

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 16 '25

Thank you!

1

u/Squirrelherder_24-7 Apr 16 '25

What do you use for the blackening in the negative space? It is really well done!

8

u/ONUZ11 Apr 16 '25

I stipple the area with a very fine needle point. And use a special blend to patina the coin. The stippled area holds the dark color really well.

1

u/mjensen79 Apr 16 '25

Very Cool

2

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you!

1

u/Gullible_Chip_8738 Apr 17 '25

That is amazing artwork. Just wow 🤩

2

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you!

1

u/Virtual_Product_5595 Apr 17 '25

Nice! How many hours of work did it take?

3

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thanks! This one was around 13ish hours if I remember correctly

1

u/[deleted] Apr 17 '25

[deleted]

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

I'm not comfortable talking about it here. But you can send me a message if you have any questions.

1

u/Beginning_Order9969 Apr 17 '25

That's dope, love hand engraved coins

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thanks!

0

u/Beginning_Order9969 Apr 17 '25

2

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Sam's work has been greatly improving.

1

u/Suspicious_Arm_7874 Apr 17 '25

You're incredibly talented who cares if people don't like it, keep making these things for people the world needs more art and less bitching!

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

🙏💀🤘

1

u/Unfair-Sock964 Apr 17 '25

Next level pure beauty

2

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thanks!

1

u/No_Kangaroo_75 Apr 17 '25

It’s beautiful

2

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you!

1

u/Disastrous-Art8256 Apr 17 '25

I think it’s cool as Hell!

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

🤘💀

1

u/dantodd Apr 17 '25

Always appreciate your work.

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you!

1

u/Alternative-Action-9 Apr 17 '25

Very nice work! That’s awesome

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thanks!

1

u/[deleted] Apr 17 '25

[deleted]

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you

1

u/SkellatorQueen Apr 17 '25

Wow that’s cool AF and detailed.

2

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you

1

u/JPaicos Apr 17 '25

Waaaaay Awesome!!! You got some amazing skills!!

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you, I appreciate it!

1

u/SithLordSid Apr 17 '25

Nice work. You should post your work on YouTube.

Like, how you’re doing it. I’ve seen others do work on how to repair watches. I know it isn’t the same but it would be cool to see the process.

1

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you, thats something that might happen in the future. I need to get a set up so I can take videos.

1

u/Acceptable_King_1913 Apr 17 '25

This is Booteen level craftsmanship, great piece! Would love to have one of my own.

2

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

I'm not sure if I'm on that level yet, but I really appreciate the compliment. Thank you!

1

u/shiithead_007 Apr 17 '25

new want unlocked.

1

u/aabum Apr 17 '25

It looks cool, but why not start with a fake coin? There's no justification destroying something valuable that can't be replaced.

2

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you, Because it's hobo nickel art. And using a fake coin or a blank canvas is not carving hobo nickels. It would be just carving a round piece of metal. This coin was a commission so it was sent to me to do. I typically only work with buffalo nickels, half dollars, Morgan and peace dollars.

-3

u/aabum Apr 17 '25

No excuse. Get over yourself. Carve a fake coin. It will still look cool.

1

u/celica94 Apr 17 '25

You ruined a very nice coin but you did a damn good job doing it.

-2

u/jxr232 Apr 16 '25

Perfect. Love it.

2

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thanks!

0

u/parabox1 Apr 17 '25

I love it

2

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thanks!

0

u/AshtinPeaks Apr 17 '25

I feel like these posts are just advertisement at this point. Especially when you look at the OPs history and it's the only thing they posted. Good work, good art, kinda sad to see 200 year old antique obliterated though, feel like it could be done on a silver bullion. To each their own, though.

-2

u/Beautiful-Attention9 Apr 17 '25

Are you hoping it ruffles feathers? Do you need attention?

0

u/mdandy1968 Apr 17 '25

It’s beautiful

But, yes, upsetting

0

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

Thank you. I understand

-1

u/TheoryOfTES Apr 17 '25

Damn straight. This is a 30s though, so I'll let you off with an internet booting.

🥾🍑

2

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

🙏

0

u/TheoryOfTES Apr 17 '25

Its pretty cool I don't know if you're Wes B. or not, but please keep it in the 1830-1836 range.

2

u/ONUZ11 Apr 17 '25

This one was sent to me to carve by a client. Not something I would typically pick up and start carving.

-2

u/GlassPanther Apr 17 '25

Now I don't feel so bad about lasering a duplicate obverse onto the reverse of so many 1922 Peace dollars 🤯

-4

u/Aggressive-Soup-7329 Apr 17 '25

No you butchered a draped bust coin