Restaurant and tavern tokens served as surrogate means of payment in the numerous drinking establishments of major cities in pre-revolutionary Russia. Coin-like tokens were an attribute of everyday life in metropolitan and provincial restaurants, taverns, cafes, canteens, and snack bars. The issuance of tokens was connected with the desire of factory owners, plant owners, and operators of various enterprises to increase their profits. Workers and employees received part of their wages in tokens and spent them in shops owned by the firms. Restaurant and tavern tokens appeared in Russia in 1875 and became widespread in large industrial cities. So-called tavern checks performed a purely service, accounting function. They were intended for internal settlement between the restaurant staff and the cashier. Having turned into a fashion trend and a sign of wealth and prestige among restaurant proprietors, tavern checks became firmly embedded in Russian everyday life and spread everywhere. Such tokens were issued by restaurants, clubs, snack bars, taverns, cafes, and other drinking establishments.
Tavern token 1 Kopeck (oval).
