Subway token vintage coin 90s subway history kiev metro transport tokens transit. On july 25, 1953, nycs subway fare was raised to 15 cents. August 14, 2003 largest power failure in us history hits new york. Nyc transit metrocard unofficial web site subway tokens. Token transits mobile ticketing lets you ride the bus from the ease and convenience of your phone. I did not see any nyc metro transit tokens listed, but they may be newer than my catalogue. The tokens were changed periodically as prices changed.
All the mta fare hikes of the last 100 years 6sqft. June 15, 2003 the new york city transit authority now called new york city transit began operating on this date 50 years ago, replacing new york citys board of transportation as the agency in charge of all subway and elevated lines and cityowned bus and trolley lines. Now i am stuck with them the mta stopped redeeming them long ago. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. A larger version of the ytoken saw the city through the. The subway has been rumbling through new york city since oct. A history of urban mass transit in north america, by brian cudahy.
Ian brady of waverton, austrailia via stephen bauman of nyc. To place an order by phone, please call 646 2522475 mondays fridays, 10am 5pm your purchase supports new york transit museum exhibitions and education programs. The first token change occurred in 1970 when the fare was raised to 30 cents. Transportation in new york city has ranged from strong dutch authority in the 17th century, expansionism during the industrial era in the 19th century and half of the 20th century, to cronyism during the robert moses era. On july 25, 1953, new york citys subway fare was raised to 15 cents.
In regard to subway tokens, the transit authority, the people in charge of the bus and subway system in nyc, phased them out in favor of the metrocard system 5 years ago. The initial subway token design featured the initials nyc in the center, with the y cut out. Tokens replaced coins in 1953, when the fare rose to 15 cents, since turnstiles couldnt handle two. The shape of new york citys transportation system changed as the city did, and the result is an expansive modernday system of industrialera infrastructure. The history and demise of muni tokens if you have lived in san francisco for at least five years, you should already know about the muni tokens. Solid brass with cutout y in center since first being used in new york city in 1953, there were five different type issues of. Medals and tokens of the new york city subway system. Metro transit will provide your organization the right fare products for your clients along with the tools to manage your program. Vintage nyc transit authority metal subway token dispenser. I foolishly saved about 400 tokens as i once read they will be valuable. New york city has the largest transit system in the united states.
Transit numismatic directory, with values and images page 2. Detailed information about the coin 1 fare, new york city transit authority 22 mm, tokens, with pictures and collection and swap management. The first comprehensive history of public transportation in north america to be published in more than 60 years, the book traces the grwoth of urban mass transit from the horsedrawn street cars of the 1830s through the development of cable cars, electric street cars, subways, and buses, to the new light rail systems that are playing a key. Since the first train departed, the nyc subway has constantly evolved, even through the currency used to pay the way from tokens to todays.
Instead of making subway riders have three nickels each time, the city introduced the subway token, which became a symbol of the city until it was phased out for the metrocard in 2003. Detailed information about the coin 1 fare, new york city transit authority magnetic, tokens, with pictures and collection and swap management. Muni sold these little coins in bags containing ten, and made it easy for passengers to drop one little coin instead of multiple quarters or dollar bills into the farebox. The history and demise of muni tokens akits complaint. The ones from early in the century before the transit system was consolidated and the nyc transit authority was formed, are scarce and can be worth quite a bit. Complete set of 6 nyc subway tokens nycta mta new york city transit. In the fallout from the scam, the ttc promised an entirely new transit currency would be in place within a year.
The street railroads of new york and vicinity by artis q. Scan of the 1954 service levels diagram from the ta annual report. Purchase and store your get pass with a smartphone, via a mobile app called token transit. These pages try to show the tokens in relative size, but when the nouse is over the picture, it is blown up for easier. At the transit museum store, you can buy a set of the five historic new york city subway tokens, introduced in 1953, 1970, 1980, 1986 and. However, if you go do to the transit museum in downtown brooklyn, or its annex in grand central, you will be able to get a souvenir token for a few bucks, thats if they still. I have quite a few that have been passed down to me from my late grandparents, and i have thought about starting a collection. This design was used until 1979, when, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the subway system, the diamond jubilee token was issued, featuring a. Objects contains over 400 artifacts related to the new york city subway, collected and documented by photographer brian kelley kelley started collecting mta metrocards in 2011, and he quickly became fascinated by other subwayrelated objects. More than one token is required for rides on express buses during rush hours and for northstar service. I have a bunch of the boston tokens too, but i mostly keep my new york city tokens.
To find out the whereabouts of his sandwich, contact the author. Our thanks to cliff anderson for compiling the catalogue below. Tickets or tokens may be the best option for individuals and groups who are buying singleride fares, going to special events or who do not ride frequently. Simply download the token transit app to your smartphone and purchase passes with your account. On one side was the legend \good for one fare,\ on the other \new york city transit authority. Mta program for action in 1968, the mta had just been formed and was tasked with improving public transportation in the new york city area. Wright, specialist ii, lionel pincus and princess firyal map division, stephen a. Vintage montgomery city lines inc good for one fare transit token 3 photo. It was a new nyc agency created in 1953 the new york city transit authority that had the. Septa is phasing out its antiquated fare system by adopting a smart card system more typical of 21st century transit operations. There were many leases and transfers over the years. The mtas special armored money train that ran from 1951.
The metropolitan transit authority one fare coin is one of the more striking tokens since it contains a cutout in the center of the coin. From a trip 4 5 years ago i have some token left good reason to come back lol. Metro transit offers many options to fit the way you ride and how you want to pay. Token transit offers a great digital alternative to cash, while helping you board the bus faster and manage your bus fare easily from your mobile device. History of transportation in new york city wikipedia. Nyc subway 6 various tokens 5 nyc subway bus transit tokens in silver metal dispenser case hong kong nyc small y tokens lot of 3 with vintage subway token dispenser mill. For example ny 630 ap is nyc transit and ny 630 aq is path. You wont find a better place to explore the history of new york citys transportation system than this underrated nyc museum. The metropolitan transit authority one fare coin is one of the more striking tokens since it contains a. Mtanew york city transit memorabilia and collectables.
New listing vintage nyc good for one fare 10 new york city transit brass subway tokens. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Nyc subway token earrings, original tokens from 1953 with sterling silver. Im looking for an authoritative reference book on u. The token was finally phased out in favor of the metrocard. Media in category transit tokens the following 66 files are in this category, out of 66 total.
Nyc subway history is on display at the new york transit. Discussion in coin chat started by texastwister, sep 7, 2012. For more on subway tokens, check out our history of the nyc subway token as well as a look into the vanishing subway token booths. This is a new york city transit authority token used from 1953 to 1970 obverse. A guide book of tokens and medals, by katherine jaeger. Green station, and a sign also exists at the 81st streetmuseum of natural history station.
As a result of the new york city transit authoritys employee suggestion program a series of four service medals were developed in 1979. Used for aqueduct special trains in the 1960s later replaced by special fare tokens. History of the nyc subway token 19532003 untapped cities. On this day, july 25, in 1953, new york city introduced the first subway tokens, purchasable for fifteen cents each, and the only kind of coin accepted by the turnstiles. Vintage new york city transit authority coin token good. Horsecar tokens were issued more widely in the 1830s, as were tokens for horsedrawn omnibuses. Along with its outgoing fleet of buses and subway cars, transit has station signs and fixtures, vintage tokens, and other collectibles such as handholds, doors. But despite the lack of exposition about the itemstheres an index that identifies them, but not much beyond thatthe book is, taken as a whole, an archive of new yorks transit history.
Designed by michael bosnick then a graphics department employee at 370 jay street, it is an updated modification on the nyctas 1953. On the select bus service routes except s79, customers paying with coins. Get the best deal for transit tokens from the largest online selection at. They are the oldest transit system as well and have produced a variety of nyc tokens over the years. The following is a narrative description of all known us and canadian bimetallic transportation tokens. The fares for services operated under the brands of mta regional bus new york city subway. Transit numismatic directory, with values and images page 1 sign in. This token is the fifth version of the new york city subway token. The first was issued in 1953, followed by new versions in 1970, 1980, 1986, and this one in 1995. Transit tokens in the united states date to 1831, when brass coins were minted for john gibbss u. At the transit museum store, you can buy a set of the five historic new york city subway tokens, introduced in 1953, 1970, 1980, 1986 and 1995, as well as subway tokens made into key rings, lapel pins, cuff links, bracelets, and money clips.
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