HOBO NICKEL - "BARNEY OLDFIELD"

Barney Oldfield's fame and significance were achieved as a result of his being a pioneer and, more importantly, as being the man most responsible for introducing Americans to auto racing and for preventing it from becoming a gentleman's sport in the same league with Polo and Yachting. Oldfield was a pioneer, not only as a racer, but as a working class racer. When Oldfield began racing, in 1902, racing was solidly an elite sport. Most drivers were millionaires and competitions were organized by automobile clubs that were exclusive, not only by reason of their selective membership policies, but by the simple fact that in these days automobiles were handmade and priced beyond the reach of all but the most wealthy. Those few drivers who came from more humble backgrounds, like DePalma, ingratiated themselves to the elite by wearing the livery of the servant. DePalma, for example, maintained a strict dress code with his crew - pressed and bleached whites from head to toe at all times. Like horseracing, the owner of the car was credited with victories along with the driver, and sometimes the driver received even less attention! Oldfield never conformed to the codes of the upper crust. He refused to wear uniforms, livery, or even clean clothes. He chomped on a cigar as he roared through his turns. In his early years he was even known to race with a whiskey bottle tied with a cord around his neck. He showed little loyalty to particular sponsors, changing them whenever better offers appeared. He was loud, profane, known to frequent saloons and to revel in the bawdy culture of big city night life. He did not hob-nob, kow-tow, or glad hand well. In short, he remained true to his street roots in Toledo.

Barney is carved on a VG/F 1937 Buffalo Nickel, with my usual G hanging J mark on the reverse. This is a higher grade, very smooth, carving that looks like it was minted rather than carved. The field is very smooth and all of the details have a lot of depth.

SELLING PRICE - $75.00