Drew's Finds!: Antique California Nugget Chop Cut Tobacco -- Nugget Shaped Tin

Nugget Shaped California Nugget Chop Cut Tobacco Tin
Click "Read more" for more pics.

I found this wonderful little antique tobacco tin while visiting a local consignment shop. I walked past it in the case several times before I finally stopped to take a closer look at it and the other items in the case. I didn't know what it was at first but after getting a good look at the words on it (turns out I was permitted to open the case. I felt so special) I realized it was a tobacco tin. I'm not a tin expert by any stretch of the imagination. I personally lean towards glass but in general like all container type things. From cigar boxes to, apparently tobacco tins. Especially anything small, and/or antique, and I could tell this one was old. Plus, I had never seen this kind of shape before.

Yeah, so I had to have it. Not only because I thought it was cool, but because I didn't really know anything about it and wanted to find out. Also, the Shop was for the benefit of the local Humane Society so it was a win, win, win. I would have been a worse person for not buying it.

As soon as I got it to the car I did a quick Google search for it from my phone but found nothing. Strange, oh well, clearly a seat in front of the ole computer was going to be needed.

Nada.
(click "Read more" below)

Nothing

REALLY!?

I double checked to make sure it was "Google" I searched on. When that worked out I then did a quick check to make sure I was actually on the internet and my computer was plugged in. Check and check. Wow, since when do you not find something on the internet, especially through Google!? I did find one completed auction (I forget which site) but you had to sign up or something just to see any details of the sale. Yeah, maybe if I had an Antique store and would use their service regularly, but not for one item I would probably keep anyway.

I spent awhile using other search engines since Google had shockingly let me down. I think I am still a little traumatized from the event. When I found nothing I asked my wife to do what I clearly was failing at. I knew she could find it. She is a online search superstar. If Google knew how well and how fast she could use their service they would probably, ban her or charge her and the Government would hire her. So while not really surprised, I was simultaneously excited and aggravated when she called me in from the other room after like 2 minutes. To my relief and disappointment it was the same completed auction thing I found. She found it quicker then I did, but I didn't mention that. It was much quicker.

All I know about this tin

It says California Nugget Chop Cut Tobacco

So it is a tobacco tin

It seems pretty old

Paint and lettering is worn, so it probably pretty old.

It is pretty rare

Well I could only find one other example of it

While I found lots of other California Nugget Tins over and over again.

I am pretty sure the shape of it is a nugget.

Like a Gold Nugget
Comfy shape that fits nicely in your hand

California Nugget Tobacco Co. was the first company

It was either purchased by, or turned into American Tobacco Co.

So. Here I am and still really don't know much about this tin other then the obvious. If anyone has any more information on this cool little tin please feel free to post. Feel free to post and leave your 2 cents anyway. For the time being, enjoy the pics.