Bakery token

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Bakery token from Deseronto, Ontario 2016-67 R. Marrigan bread token 2.jpg
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.

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Habitant token

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "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.
  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.