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All the United States Texas San Antonio Old Time Wooden Nickel Company

Old Time Wooden Nickel Company

A 2,500-pound wooden nickel makes this woodworking museum easy to spot from the road.

San Antonio, Texas

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William Davis
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The massive wooden nickel.   satxwdavis / Atlas Obscura User
The massive wooden nickel.   satxwdavis / Atlas Obscura User
Honoring Armed Forces.   satxwdavis / Atlas Obscura User
Wooden Nickel Museum.   satxwdavis / Atlas Obscura User
Antique printing press.   satxwdavis / Atlas Obscura User
Old wood nickels on display.   satxwdavis / Atlas Obscura User
The museum floor.   satxwdavis / Atlas Obscura User
World Record wooden nickel plaque.   satxwdavis / Atlas Obscura User
Wooden money.   satxwdavis / Atlas Obscura User
2-5-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
2-5-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
Taken 8.27.18   whoooknew / Atlas Obscura User
Taken 8.27.18   whoooknew / Atlas Obscura User
Currently outside of museum as of August 2018   knoxium / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The adage goes, “don’t take any wooden nickels” but this one won’t fit in your pocket even if you try. The giant coin, which is among the world’s largest wooden nickels, stands just outside The Old Time Wooden Nickel Company and Historical Museum in San Antonio, Texas.

Built by Herb Hornung, a former Air Force officer who owned the company and museum, the wooden nickel measures 13 feet, four inches in diameter and weighs 2,500 pounds. The obverse shows a traditional American Bison or American Buffalo and the reverse is dedicated to the men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces.

Hornung purchased the pre-existing company in 1995 and renamed it the Old Time Wooden Nickel Company. He designed and built the large nickel because he loved his shop and knew patrons would be able to see the colossal coin from the road. Hornung passed away in 2008, but the company and museum are still running strong.

Inside the museum, visitors can see original wood nickel printing presses, related tools and antiques, and hundreds of wooden nickels on display. Some date back to 1948, when Elbee Co. first opened its doors and started manufacturing wooden nickels as novelty items.

In addition to proudly displaying the coin, the museum's current owners produce wooden nickels for schools, churches, businesses, and clubs all over the world. They support American workers by using only domestically grown wood that is milled in the U.S. Visiting is free and if you ask very nicely, you may get a free wooden nickel—that one you can actually put in your pocket.

Related Tags

Museums And Collections Museums Woodwork Giant Roadside Attractions Shops

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Added By

satxwdavis

Edited By

knoxium, whoooknew, Darrell Powers

  • knoxium
  • whoooknew
  • Darrell Powers

Published

December 1, 2017

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Sources
  • www.wooden-nickel.com
  • https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/6508
  • https://www.ksat.com/news/worlds-largest-wooden-nickel-located-in-san-antonio
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbZhkAgMgZQ
  • http://thetexasbucketlist.com/2016/02/the-texas-bucket-list-the-old-time-wooden-nickel-company/
Old Time Wooden Nickel Company
345 Old Austin Rd
San Antonio, Texas
United States
29.456517, -98.456341
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