Around the turn of the century, tobacco manufacturers used metal tags like these to identify their brand of pressed chewing tobacco. Some of these tags were collected and traded for premiums and prizes offered by the tobacco companies to reward brand loyalty. Each manufacturer had a different tag design, and tags changed from year to year, some of which were quite colorful. Tag collecting became a popular hobby in the 1880s and continues today. They also happen to make great additions to mixed-media art and jewelry, which is where we come in!

Mixed lot of 15 tags, available as a set. These tags are imperfect, they contain rust, chipped paint, dings, and scratches. Tags include 3 "JT," 3 "Square Deal," 1 "Red Barrel," 1 "Red Ham," 1 "natural," 1 "People's Choice," 1 "Sun Cured," 1 "red stag," 1 "Darby and Joan," 1 "Glory," and 1 "arrow." The smallest is the "Glory" tag, and it is 5/8" (16 mm). The largest tag is the "Red Ham" tag, which is 1.25" (32 mm) by 11/16" (17 mm).