charge plate

American  

noun

1. an identification plate, especially one from which an impression can be taken, issued to a customer and used to make purchases on a credit basis.

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Example Sentences

Shoppers have been using store credit ever since the early 1900s, when department stores issued “charge plates” — small metal cards embossed with the customer’s name and address that were often kept behind the counter.

From New York Times

Late 1800s Consumers and merchants exchange goods using credit for the first time, in the form of charge plates and credit coins.

From New York Times

Related Words

• charge card