Milk Money?

Milk tokens, once used in schools around the nation, have long since fallen out of favor. In other countries milk tokens are a symbol for welfare. Quite frankly, I'm not 100% on the history of them here.

One thing is for certain- they are collectable just like everything else old or antique. These particular tokens are brass or brass tone. These days, they are made out of plastic, like the ones for sale here. From what I can tell these were probably used no later than the 1960's or 1970's.

We know for sure that they are pre-1992, which is when the "Durham City Schools" ceased to exist, as the Durham City Schools and Durham County Schools merged (prior to this these were the two school systems in Durham). The city side, which was arguably the system in more dire straits, faced resistance from the more affluent (for the most) part country schools. Nonetheless, a merger was made.

I would be interested to know when these were used. Feel free to comment. I think they may be for free or reduced lunch patrons of the city school system, but that it just my theory.