The first subway line in new york city opened on october 27, 1904. Were working hard to get more in, so please leave your email address and well let you know if it becomes available. The objects featured are wonderfully diverseoysters, subway tokens. Horsecar tokens were issued more widely in the 1830s, as were tokens for horsedrawn omnibuses. Subway tokens and cost of living the new york times. Working with them has become an important part of our campaigns, and our authors love seeing their books all around nyc. There are new books every day, and theyre there to be taken, read, shared, and most importantly, enjoyed. This token is the fifth version of the new york city subway token. 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. However, a token coin typically has a much more limited use and is often issued by a private company, group, association or individual.
Tokens may not be earned on purchases of gift cards. Books on the subway is an excellent team committed to bringing books directly to the audience. Different combinations of transfer privileges and the abolition of double fares to the rockaways have altered these fares from time to time. Nyc over the years have retained examples of almost every type of subway car ever used in the city over the 112 year history of the system. New york subway system transports over 5 million passengers every weekday and about 3 million passengers each day on the weekend. However, i must remark on your attempt to find humor in the fact that the subway riders of new york will soon be using tokens instead of dimes for their daily rides. Nyc subway token collectors set ny token history set. The irt subway construction the dual contracts extensions history of the independent subway new york city transit authority 1970s new york city transit authority 1980s slideshows irt, bmt, ind, sirt, 1980s. It looks like theres an issue with javascript in your browser. How nyc subway history still affects service today metro us. The history of americas largest and most famous subway system is an interesting book. Amounts shown in italicized text are for items listed in currency other than u.
Books on the subway by phyllis trager april 14, 2011 i hope you are not here because you like to read. The release of the 1970 token was met with a fare increase to thirty cents. Nyc subway token collectors set transit, memorabilia. Subway tokens, gone but not forgotten the new york times. Of the many odd things about new yorkers, there is this. It was the last, great, major expansion of the subway to this day, and the event went relatively unnoticed by the city government. On july 25, 1953, new york citys subway fare was raised to 15 cents. These transit tokens were good for single rides on rtc buses, street trolleys, and the rochester subway.
The 1970 token was designed to be larger than its 1953 counterpart. Jackson, president of the newyork historical society. A tiny gold colored metal token pierced with a diamondshaped hole near the top edge. Passengers paid their fare using, first, a paper ticket, then a coin, then a metal token, and finally an encoded plastic card. How nyc subway history still affects service today. An authentic 70s era token is set on a circle of canvas token bag used by the mta to transfer tokens throughout the system. One thing stan taught me early on is if you know where to. The mta discontinued the use of tokens in the subway on may 3, 2003, and on buses on december 31, 2003. New york city subway tokens will be sold for last time on apr 12, and will.
These tokens are often heavily used and show significant wear. The new york city subway token, tool and talisman of city life since vincent r. A comprehensive guide to the new york city subway s history, unspoken rules of conduct, and more insider intel. For decades, the new york subway pass was a token, and then the easiertouse but lessstylish metrocard came along and made the token. Brass tokens were introduced when fares were raised to 15 cents, as they couldnt construct turnstiles that would accept two different coins. The initial subway token design featured the initials nyc in the center, with the y cut out. Whether you take the a train every day or like carrying a piece of nyc close, this key ring is a nostalgic travel companion. 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. Mtanew york city transit memorabilia and collectables. Throughout time, fare media, the platform which customers use to pay fare when riding the subway, has been an object of much public interest. History of the nyc subway token 19532003 untapped cities. New tokens go on sale in subways the new york times.
They had a 50year run, but 2003 was the end of the line for the citys iconic transit token. Its like a public library, but on the new york subway. Below are the fares charged for single boardings on the transit lines and predecessors of the new york city transit authority nycta. Louis, missouri, she weighed 75,122 pounds and was 51 and a half feet long.
The metrocard, then, was introduced in 1993, and the rest is history. For more on subway tokens, check out our history of the nyc subway token as well as a look into the vanishing subway. If you take the subway every day in nyc, you probably know the basics. New york subway merchandise, magnets, party plates and cups, cufflinks, snowglobes, ornaments, paperweights, mugs, puzzles and more.
This history fascinated me so much i began collecting nyc maps, eventually collecting well over 5000. The stainless steel lock key ring features an authentic, dimesized, ycut new york transit token circulated from 195369. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. The new york city subway is a rapid transit system that serves four of the five boroughs of new york city, new york. The nycta was under control of the statelevel mta in 1968. Browse the best of ebay, connect with other collectors, and explore the history behind your favorite finds. Presented in an nyc subway map satin jewelry box inside a 50 years white gift box, this 7 inch nyc subway token bracelet will be cherished and last for a very long time. This article describes the history of the independent subway in the days of private operation and the ind division after unification in 1940.
Its operator is the new york city transit authority nycta, which is controlled by the metropolitan transportation authority mta of new york. The bar lost its lease for its longtime location at lexington avenue and east 60th street in recent years, but fortunately, it was able to find a new. On the select bus service routes except s79, customers paying with coins requiring a transfer must board. All public transportation in new york city buses and the subway is operated by the nycta new york city transit authority, which is a part of the mta metro transit authority, which is the. Great for any metal surface, this magnet makes a wonderful gift for your new york. Please add 35 business days to the shipping time of this product. Check the time while you wait to take the a train with this watch featuring nostalgic pieces of nyc subway history. Jul 24, 2014 on july 25, 1953, new york citys subway fare was raised to 15 cents. The card was introduced in 1992 to enhance the technology of the transit system and eliminate the burden of carrying and collecting tokens. We go out and leave some of our favorite books on the new york subway. 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. Oct 25, 2007 i foolishly saved about 400 tokens as i once read they will be valuable.
The first was issued in 1953, followed by new versions in 1970, 1980, 1986, and this one in 1995. The letters sjd can be found on then good for one fare side between the d in good and the f in for sjd may be the designers initials. Antique bus tokens are more likely to show wear and damage compared to contemporary bus tokens factors to consider when purchasing transit tokens. 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. An illustrated history of new york citys transit cars gene sansone on. New york city subway photography, volume one, 19701976 book.
Due to current circumstances, it might take some time to safely restock this product. Published in honor of the new york city subway s centennial, the city beneath us will fascinate anyone whos ever been amazed by the gigantic undertaking that is new york city transportation. Transit tokens were first widely used in the united states in the 1830s. The metrocard is expected to be phased out by 2023. The second is the archer avenue extension commemorative token, issued in december 1988 to celebrate the opening of the archer avenue extension in queens. History of the new york city subway decline, and crime in new york city. Soon after the mta took control of the subway, new york city entered a fiscal crisis. This collection shows all the nyc subway tokens used between 1953 and 2003, including the limited edition 1979 75th anniversary token.
Not just a gift to me, but to the history of new york city. Now i am stuck with them the mta stopped redeeming them long ago. Out of the 15 million remaining, nine million are sold to licensees as part of agreements to use the tokens for marketable items like cufflinks, watches, golf markers. These token bracelets contain authentic subway tokens which feature the famous designs of each era. 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. After struggling to put the first token on the ring, i realized i never would be able to get it off.
By the end of the decade the far went up to fifty cents. This excellent color photo book chronicles the history of nyc subway rolling. 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. The token was finally phased out in favor of the metrocard system, just after midnight on april, 2003. The nyc subway history facts and secrets thrillist. The fares for services operated under the brands of mta regional bus new york city subway. 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. One of its most intriguing components of its past is the evolution of its subway cars. Transit tokens in the united states date to 1831, when brass coins were minted for john gibbss u. 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. Click the map for our custom subway route map updated 2112019 we have track maps and historical maps too. Are you planning a subway themed party, look no further fior all of your gifts and decorating ideas.
What is the value of a new york city transit authority token. Sep 17, 2007 nearly four years after the new york city subway token was phased out. This solid brass nyc token was the first radically different subway coin. Though new yorkers live by the sea, they take vacations to go somewhere else to be by the sea. I foolishly saved about 400 tokens as i once read they will be valuable. Transit tokens can be purchased for a number of purposes.
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. In the case of currency tokens issued by a company but also recognized by the state there is a convergence between tokens and currency. Harlem subway magnet bring your favorite subway stop or line home with you today with this fun replica of the actual mta sign for the harlem station. 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.
The book is accompanied by an engaging, illustrated history of the subway system. The current mayor, mayor joseph mckee, was unavailable. So i decided to buy a bunch of tokens to keep them on my key ring, thinking id at least have a token for a subway ride to grand central, where i could get the train home. Tokens once an icon of the nyc subway were used for fifty years before the metrocard was introduced in 2003. Impellitteri was mayor, is dead at age 50, transit officials said yesterday. According to the article, 45 of the 60 million leftover subway tokens were melted down and used for scrap metal.
Subway myway rewards available at participating restaurants. On july 25, 1953, nycs subway fare was raised to 15 cents. A history of new york in 101 objects by sam roberts building off a new york times feature that solicited reader input on the tchotchkes that best represent new york, robertss 2014 book is a compact, yet thorough, history of the greatest city in the world. One of my dearest friends and mentors is a man by the name of stan fischler who in addition to being the hockey maven, is also a walking encyclopedia on the new york city subway system. The lack of a fifteen cent coin led to the creation of the subway token. The online rabbithole gave him a crash course in the history of nyc transportation. Order with the app or website, then swing by to pick up your eats. This is a wikipedia book, a collection of wikipedia articles that can be easily saved, imported by an external electronic rendering service, and ordered as a printed book. In this fascinating microhistory of new yorks transit system, andrew sparberg examines twenty specific events between 1940 and 1968, book ended by subway.
Get the best deals on subway collectibles when you shop the largest online selection at. The book to own if you love subway maps, tokens, and other trinkets. Aug 22, 2017 metro transit columnist larry penner analyzes the history of the mta as it evolved with new york city. The book is brief and concise which is a problem in this case because the authors compiled a great deal of information in a small book. Also shown are several generations of nyc subway cars. This site has the official subway maps, line maps, train and station information, mta twitter, mta contact information, metrocards, subway safety and popular tourist destinations. How is it that people living in the worlds greatest port, a city with no neighborhood that is far from a waterfront, a city whose location was chosen because of the sea, where the great cargo ships and tankers, mighty little tugs.
Jack lusk, a senior vice president with the mta, told the new york times in. Tokens were also produced for ferries, buses, and streetcars, often out of cheap white metal, aluminum, or more costly bronze. Oct 07, 2008 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 worst subway accident in new yorks history occurred in 1918 when a. The nycta, a public authority presided over by new york city, was created in 1953 to take over subway, bus, and streetcar operations from the city. Jun 08, 2017 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. New york transit token lock keychain mta, subway token, key. Eighteen years later, new york city subway tokens are now extinct. Sep 20, 2017 the new york city subway system is a marvel to take in, flaws and all, filled with a rich and vibrant history. We carry the largest collection of ny subway items available.
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