Bakery token

Bakery token from Deseronto, Ontario

A bakery token is a form of commercial token sold by and used in bakeries in the United States and postconfederation Canada primarily in the late 19th and early 20th century.[1][2][3][4] The tokens, usually made of brass, copper or aluminum, were given in lieu of change as a way of encouraging customers to return to the store.[1] They were also given to suppliers in smaller locations as partial payments.[1][5] They came in denominations of 1/2, 1, and 2 loaf.[6]

These tokens are similar to those used in pre-Revolutionary Russia as well as the méreau used in France during late the Middle Ages and Reformation.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Bakery tokens - Canadian merchant tokens". Coins and Canada. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  2. ^ "Bank of Canada Museum". Bank of Canada Museum. 2020-12-01. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  3. ^ Company, Collectibles Technology (1912-03-29). "Comprehensive Research & Reference for U.S. Coinage". Newman Numismatic Portal at Washington University in St. Louis. Retrieved 2021-03-08. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  4. ^ Akin, M.H.; Bard, J.C.; Akin, K. (2016). Numismatic Archaeology of North America: A Field Guide. Guides to Historical Artifacts. Taylor & Francis. p. 174. ISBN 978-1-315-52132-9. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  5. ^ Herberg, Richard F. (August 1971). "Ten Bakery Tokens of San Francisco from 1890". TAMS Journal: 149–150. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Canadian merchant tokens". Coins and Canada. Retrieved 2021-03-08.