A rare 3 Strikes chewing tobacco pocket tin, nearly 125 years old, sold for an astounding $55,000 at a New Hamburg auction on Sunday, May 25, 2025. The red and yellow tin, in near-mint condition, was discovered during a home renovation in Kingsville, Ontario, near the original Erie Tobacco factory.
Ethan Miller, CEO of Miller & Miller Auctions, recognized the tin's rarity immediately. Only seven examples of this specific brand are known to exist since its production in the early 1900s. The tin is considered a "cross collectible" because of its baseball theme, attracting both sports and tobacco tin collectors.
The Erie Tobacco Company produced the small tin, featuring a turn-of-the-century baseball player image. Originally estimated at $9,000 to $12,000, the family who found the tin was surprised by the final sale price, which set a Canadian record for tobacco tins. According to Miller, collectors often pay whatever it takes to complete their collections, especially for rare items in excellent condition.