Rare Maryland Phillips Cannery B 3-Unit Wage Piece

Item Description:

A historic, 100% authentic vintage aluminum trade token from the Phillips Packing Company out of Cambridge, Maryland.Before evolving into the famous Phillips Seafood restaurant chain, the Phillips Packing Company was a massive cannery operation that earned Cambridge the title of "Tomato Capital of the World." These tokens were used internally to pay cannery workers or keep track of completed units of labor.

Token Details:

Issuer: Phillips Packing Company

Location: Factory B — Cambridge, Maryland

Denomination/Unit: "3" (Two-sided / identical obverse and reverse)

Material: Aluminum

Diameter: Approx. 19mm

Condition Description:Estimated Grade: Fine (F-15 condition).

Details: All text (PHILLIPS PACKING CO., FACTORY B, CAMBRIDGE, MD) and the central number "3" are fully legible with sharp details.

The rim denticles are mostly intact with honest wear. The token shows natural, uncleaned aluminum oxidation and light surface aging typical of a piece used daily in a fast-paced 20th-century cannery environment. No heavy gouges, bends, or holes.

The "3" Denomination:

These tokens were made with different numbers (like 1, 3, 5, or even dollar amounts).

Depending on the specific cannery practice, the "3" usually represented either 3 cents in trade value at the company store or a payout for completing 3 units of work (such as filling 3 baskets or processing 3 bushels of tomatoes).

History of the Issuer

The Tomato Capital: Founded in 1902, the Phillips Packing Company grew to become an absolute powerhouse on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

Thanks to their massive operations, Cambridge was once nicknamed the "Tomato Capital of the World."

Historic Milestones: At its peak, the company employed nearly a quarter of Cambridge's population.

They were famous for provisioning Admiral Richard Byrd’s Antarctic expeditions in the 1930s, and they became the nation's largest producer of military "C" and "K" rations during World War II.

While the old packing campus closed down in the 1960s, the descendants of the founders later shifted focus and established the famous Phillips Seafood Restaurants brand.

Please see the photos for exact cosmetic condition.