We make every effort to display these artifacts in true, high detail so that what you see here is what you will enjoy if you decide to purchase. The small y token had a total mintage of 48 million, including a rare variant of this type with the y not cut out. I also thought it would be a very long time before such a volume could be surpassed in any way. Coins 57 items suggested reading 104 items coin book starter sets 5 items. New york in 101 objects is a delight, not only for anyonelike meold enough to have ridden in a checker cab, used a subway token, or to still crave a blackandwhite. Back then, i thought the book was an incredible tribute to the rolling stock of the new york city subway system. Were excited to announce the launch of subway library, a new initiative between the new york public library, brooklyn public library, and queens library, the mta, and transit wireless that provides subway riders in new york city with free access to hundreds of ebooks, excerpts, and short storiesall ready to read on the train as part of the subway library celebration, dont miss the. At todays transit tots, well think about different kinds of tickets used to ride our subways and buses throughout history, from paper tickets to tokens and metrocards.
Its not an exaggeration to say that new yorks subway system is the lifeblood of this city. But metro bus and rail tokens are about to fade into history, right along with iroquois beer and your host restaurants. Is helvetica really the typeface of the new york city subway. Somewhere out there, in pants pockets, purses and bureau drawers, are as many as 10 million brass subway tokens that were never redeemed when the new york city transit authority introduced new. A tiny gold colored metal token pierced with a diamondshaped hole near the top edge.
The first was issued in 1953, followed by new versions in 1970, 1980, 1986, and this one in 1995. Coin collectors are increasingly adding transportation tokens to their collections. New york subway merchandise, magnets, party plates and cups, cufflinks, snowglobes, ornaments, paperweights, mugs, puzzles and more. A history of new york in 101 objects by sam roberts. New york city was one of the last major transit systems to adopt an electronic fare system, which was finally set in motion with the first electronic turnstile and sale of metrocards in 1994. On july 25, 1953, new york citys subway fare was raised to 15 cents. Mtanew york city transit memorabilia and collectables. New york city subway map umbrellas have fun with these new york subway umbrellas. You cant spend one on a ride uptown anymore, but itll still take you to the city of dreams. Register cards to your account so you can check balances and keep track of subway myway offers, tokens and rewards. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. History of the nyc subway token 19532003 untapped cities. From a trip 4 5 years ago i have some token left good reason to come back lol.
Transit tokens are very affordable, especially relative to coins. 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. One side is patterned with off center diamond stripes with a relief of a subway platform below the words nyc subway 19041979 people moving people. An authentic 70s era token is set on a circle of canvas token bag used by the mta to transfer tokens throughout the system. Subway tokens, gone but not forgotten the new york times. The new york city subway is a heavyrail public transit system serving four of the five boroughs of new york city. Nyc subway token collectors set transit, memorabilia. A comprehensive guide to the subways history, unspoken rules of conduct, and more insider intel. The longest subway line is the a train, which covers more than 30 miles between 207th street to far rockaway in queens. Nyc subway 75th anniversary 1904 1979 diamond jubilee transit token ny 2 photo. You can find the latest new york today at or in the morning, on the new york times homepage or its new york section.
Best sellers newyork historical society nyhistory store. Vintage nyc subway token subway token, new york subway. The majority of transportation tokens sold are used. Tokens and icons subway token cufflinks new york 3. The worst subway accident in new yorks history occurred in 1918 when a conductor who was filling in for a striking. In 2004 the centennial year for the original irt subway we have new york subways. In 2004 the centennial year for the original irt subwaywe have new york subways.
All of these tokens were in circulation at some point while the rochester subway was in operation 19281956. I really like those signs in the new york subway and how those mosaic letters show us the way underground, but what is t. Tokens and other rochester subway artifacts like this one can be highly collectible. The nyc subway history facts and secrets thrillist. 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. Untapped new york unearths new york citys secrets and. New york city subway token watch newyork historical. This token was valid and used along with the standard token of that era. Highly collectible rochester transit tokens these are original rochester subway, bus, andor trolley tokens. I am 68 years old and live in portland oregon and have not lived in new york city since 1978. The nycta was under control of the statelevel mta in 1968.
Impellitteri was mayor, is dead at age 50, transit officials said yesterday. The dial is fashioned from a revenue bag that was used to transfer tokens throughout the system. Transit numismatic directory, with values and images page 1 sign in. York city transport authority transit token nyc cut out y, good for one fare. In addition to transits regular monthly sales offerings, we are very pleased to present a sales program designed especially for buyers interested in acquiring a little bit of nyc transits history. Shaw goes mythbusting to uncover the long, storied history. An illustrated history of new york citys transit cars. The present new york city subway system inherited the systems of the interborough rapid transit company irt, brooklynmanhattan transit corporation bmt, and the independent subway system ind. Check the time while you wait to take the a train with this watch featuring nostalgic pieces of nyc subway history. The dial is made from a revenue bag that was used to. Along with its outgoing fleet of buses and subway cars, transit has station signs and fixtures, vintage tokens, and other collectibles.
Though no longer on city room, new york today continues to appear every weekday morning, offering a roundup of news and events for the city. The new york transit museum has a collection of slugs that were used by riders to avoid payment of fares, including foreign coins, washers, amusement tokens and tokens from other fare systems. Soon after the mta took control of the subway, new york city entered a fiscal crisis. Starting with the dimesize 50s era token and ending with the 5 boroughs pentagram token in mid90s. The token was finally phased out in favor of the metrocard system, just after midnight on april, 2003. This token is the fifth version of the new york city subway token. 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. 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. Featuring a convenient automatic open and close button on a plastic handle, steel windproof frame and eye catching design on both the umbrella and its sleeve, our. Tokens feature complex designs and capture a moment in history. The initial subway token design featured the initials nyc in the center, with the y cut out. But over the years, that number has increased to match inflation. We carry the largest collection of ny subway items available.
New york city was one of the last major transit systems to adopt an electronic fare system, which was finally set in motion with the first electronic turnstile and sale of. When new york city stopped selling subway tokens in 2003, it was the end of a 50year era. This watch is hand crafted from an authentic 70s era 78 ycut new york transit token. The new york city subway token, tool and talisman of city life since vincent r. This set features 5 authentic new york transit tokens circulated from 19532003. But the current fare collection system aboard buses and in subway.
The new york city subway token and revenue bag watch is hand crafted from an authentic 1970s era ycut new york transit token. Youll make your own shiny token with items at home, learn some american sign language asl, and sing a song. The token shown above is the token you will receive. On the reverse, the same pattern with a side view of subway car above the words diamond jubilee seventy fifth anniversary nyc subway 19041979. Are you planning a subway themed party, look no further fior all of your gifts and decorating ideas. New york city has owned the ind since its inception. Newyork historical society 170 central park west at richard gilder way 77th street new york, ny 100245194 212 4859203.
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