Which ancient civilization created the first documented 'loyalty program' by providing clay tokens to regular customers that could be exchanged for preferential treatment or discounts at marketplaces?

Before modern loyalty cards and digital rewards programs, ancient civilizations had their own methods of customer retention and merchant loyalty. From preferential trading status to specialized tokens, ancient merchants understood the value of repeat customers. This trivia question explores how ancient civilizations implemented early forms of 'loyalty programs' that would be recognizable to modern retail strategists.

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Mesopotamians (circa 3000 BCE)
Ancient Egyptians (New Kingdom period)
Phoenician traders (1500-300 BCE)
Roman Empire merchants (during the Pax Romana)