Could These 8 Metro Tokens Be Worth a Lot of Money?
Written by
Yaël Bizouati-Kennedy
Edited by
Nicholas Morine
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Old metro and transit tokens not only have sentimental value, but can also have financial value as well — so it might be a good idea to check your drawers to see if you have any.
For instance, the New York metro tokens of yore — replaced by the plastic Metrocards — have become iconic.
These were slowly phased out and were last sold in April 2003, according to The New York Times. And now, these New York artifacts — which have also been transformed into cufflinks, pendants and rings — are entrenched in a secondary sales market.
New York subway fares were initially 5 cents, when the subway first opened in 1904. They now stand at $2.90.
Here are some of the tokens from across the country that have value, whether it’s a few dollars or thousands.
NYC Train and Bus Transit Token (1953)
- Value: Listed at $7,000 on eBay, though the seller is taking offers.
D.C. Transit System Token (1960)
- Value: Listed for sale at $4,245.75, according to an eBay seller.
This is a 1960, 16 mm one-fare token, according to Numista.
Honolulu Rapid Transit Co. Token (1924)
- Value: Listed at $59, according to a Mercari vendor.
This is a zinc, 16.5 mm token, according to Numista.
Sioux City Transit Token (1940s)
- Value: $8, according to a Mercari listing.
This is a stainless-steel token used to pay fares for Sioux City streetcars and buses. It is stamped with the logo of the Sioux City Transit Company, the major transit company in the city at the dawn of the 1940s, according to the Sioux City Public Museum.
Chicago & Calumet District Transit Inc. Token (1940s)
- Value: $7.99, per an eBay listing.
This is a brass 22mm token, according to eBay. The Chicago & Calumet District Transit Company, headquartered in Hammond, Indiana, operated from 1931 to 1971, according to Flickr.
Key System Oakland Token (1950)
- Value: $3, per Coinspot.
This is a white metal, 16 mm token. The obverse and reverse both feature a K. As Coinspot explained, The Key System was a large private transit system serving Alameda and Contra Costa counties between 1903 and 1960.
Solid Brass NYC Token (1980-1985)
- Value: $2.50, according to Coinspot.
This brass token is 22 mm and has a mintage of 60 million, according to Coinspot.
San Francisco Transit Token (1938)
- Value: $14.99, according to an eBay listing.
This is a San Francisco Samuel Kahn Market Street Railway one fare, 16mm token.
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