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.[ citation needed ]