Maison Close Token - 8 Francs "Good for one empty bag"?

I've been trying to track down some of the odd Maison Close tokens (French bordellos). Most have been shell cards, and there are a surprising number of varieties, all with low surviving populations.

Have you ever looked for something long enough that you start seeing patterns where none exist?

I recently came across this piece & am wondering if I'm reading too much into the French love of euphemism (but the denomination is quite high for the 1920s if there's no double entendre):

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

On one side it is for 8Fr.20C. on the other it says each bag in good condition accompanied by this token will be redeemed for 8 Fr, so could it be in the nature of a deposit of 8 francs on something that is charged 20 centimes for use, the 8 francs returnable on return of the item undamaged. Possibly a washable condom? (These did exist)

 

Or, a little less delicate, coal bags maybe.
http://canalsquare.blogspot.fr/2013/08/bernot-freres-quai-de-la-marne.html

Christian

 

After reading some of the article,that does seem a great deal more plausible.......