Bistro saucers had a dual function in the days before absinthe was banned. In addition to their function as coasters, they were also used to indicate the price of the absinthe served. The price printed on the bottom or side of the saucer corresponded to a color painted on the outer rim. This colored rim was used to tell the waiter how much to charge the customer by reading the different colors of saucers when stacked. For example, if three 1f75 saucers with a light blue rim (as shown above) were stacked, the waiter would know to charge the customer 5.25 French francs.

This saucer features a hand-painted light blue rim with pinwheel lines accented in light blue and gold. The frank is printed on the bottom of the saucer.

• High-quality porcelain.
• Hand-painted rim.
• The paint and text are baked in the saucer.
• The colors won't fade.
• The saucer measures approximately 11.7 cm in diameter by 2.1 cm in height.
• The height inside the saucer is 1.4 cm.
• Accommodates glass stems up to 8.2 cm in diameter.