Restaurant and tavern tokens served as surrogate means of payment in the many 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 linked to the desire of owners of factories, plants, and other enterprises to increase their profits. Workers and employees received part of their wages in tokens and redeemed them for goods in shops owned by the companies. Restaurant and tavern tokens appeared in Russia in 1875 and became widespread in large industrial cities. The so-called tavern marks performed a purely service and accounting function. They were intended for internal settlements between an establishment’s staff and the cashier. Having turned into a fashion trend and a sign of prosperity and prestige among restaurant proprietors, tavern marks became firmly embedded in Russian daily life and spread everywhere. Similar tokens were issued by restaurants, clubs, snack bars, taverns, cafes, and other drinking establishments.
Tavern token 1 Kopeck.
SGB.
