Video by jgkix
Herbert Hornung, owner of the Old Time Wooden Nickel Co. and curator of the Wooden Nickel Historical Museum, had always imagined himself holding a world record. In 2002, Herb made that dream a reality when he drew up some plans, recruited two friends and got to work. This is the original concept drawing of what was to become the World’s Largest Wooden Nickel.
Hard at work putting this masterpiece together!
"Ripley's Believe it or Not!" featured the World's Largest Wooden Nickel in their newspaper cartoon on November 27, 2002. The Ripley's daily cartoon is published in newspapers all across the world.
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This Wooden Nickel is 13 feet 4 inches in diameter and 5.5 inches thick; about 108 times the diameter of a standard Wooden Nickel. It is solid wood, made from 6x6 lumber, and weighs about 2,500 pounds. That is enough wood to make about 400,000 standard Wooden Nickels. (Enough wood for about 3 weeks of our Wooden Nickel production)
For several years the WLWN was redesigned each year and dedicated to an organization that promotes "American Values" and Leadership. The Mayor of San Antonio, Texas has issued a Proclamation making June 22, 2002 "Wooden Nickel Day"
Dedications
Click on the photos below to see more photos and details for each year's dedication.
Boy Scout of America
2002
Veterans of Foreign War
2003
American Legion
2006
"Support our Troops"
2007
Lions Club International
2004
Rotary International
2005
Fisher House
2010
San Antonio, TX
300th Anniversary
2018
