Absinthe bistro saucers had a double purpose in the days before the ban on absinthe. Apart from their function as coasters, they were also used to indicate the price of the absinthe served. The price printed on the bottom or the side of the saucer corresponded to a colour painted on the outer rim. This coloured rim was used to indicate to the waiter the amount to be charged to the customer by reading the different colours of the saucers when stacked. For example, if three 3f15 saucers with a cranberry-shaped rim (as shown above) were stacked, the waiter knew that the customer would be charged 9.45 French francs. When the bill was paid, the money was usually left inside the coaster.