{"title":"New York Cufflinks - Transit Tokens","description":"\u003cp\u003eSubways, bridges, tunnels, and highways. Access to make was once via the use of a token. Remember these?\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"boston-t-token-cufflinks","title":"Boston Subway Token Cufflinks","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLong before we swiped or tapped cards to get on the subway, we paid fares by dropping tokens in turnstiles. These cufflinks are made from genuine tokens used for Boston's transit system, known as \"The T,\" not reproductions. We clean and polish them to the best of our ability, but they are not going to be in perfect condition. Each token measures just over ¾\" wide—just a bit larger than a U.S. Penny. All cufflinks are soldered, not glued.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe token we labeled as \u003cstrong\u003eONE FARE\u003c\/strong\u003e is from long before Boston's subway was even called \"The T.\" When this design was introduced in 1951, the underground in Boston was part of the MTA—of \"Charlie on the MTA\" fame—or Metropolitan Transit Authority. These are occasionally incorrectly thought to be tokens for the New York MTA. This version is the same on both sides.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe newer tokens, which we have listed as \u003cstrong\u003eT \u0026amp; TRAIN\u003c\/strong\u003e, came into use in 1988. They were the same size and weight, and were added to supplement the existing 1951 stock, not replace them. They feature the T logo on one side and a stylized rapid transit vehicle on the other. We normally create cufflinks so one shows the T and the other shows the train, but we can also do BOTH T LOGO or BOTH TRAIN.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eT Tokens were used until 2007, when the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) transitioned to CharlieCards.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"New York Cufflinks","offers":[{"title":"ONE FARE","offer_id":51359607488725,"sku":"NYC-CLTTOKEN","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"T \u0026 TRAIN","offer_id":51359607521493,"sku":"NYC-CLMTA","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0605\/7174\/6517\/files\/Cufflinks_0001_T_TRAIN.jpg?v=1747595354"},{"product_id":"new-york-subway-token-cufflinks","title":"New York Subway Token Cufflinks","description":"\u003cp\u003eIt's been over 20 years since New York City Transit has used tokens. For some, that was a lifetime ago. For others, it's hard to believe it's been so long.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor over 40 years, the subway in New York was five cents, so riders used a nickel to get on the train. For five years after that it was ten cents, so the machinery was updated to accept dimes. But in 1953, when the base fare was raised to fifteen cents, well, it complicated things. Without a fifteen-cent coin, what were riders to put in the turnstiles?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first NYCTA subway tokens were brass and slightly smaller than a dime, with a large NYC in the center. After a few months, they were revised to add a Y-cutout, which allowed people to feel the difference in their pocket between that and the U.S. ten-cent piece. In the 50 years after the dime fare but before MetroCards became the exclusive way to pay for your ride, eleven different styles of tokens were used (per the New York City Transit Museum), but the one best remembered is probably the larger version of the 1953 cutout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese cufflinks are made from the following types of tokens:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eSmall Y Cutout\u003c\/strong\u003e earrings are made from the dime-sized brass Y cutout tokens, which were in use from September 1953 to January 1970. Each token is 16mm in diameter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eLarge Y Cutout\u003c\/strong\u003e are made from the big brother of the previous tokens. They replaced the small on January 4, 1970, and were used for a decade. Each token is 23mm in diameter, or between the sizes of the U.S. nickel and U.S. quarter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"display: none;\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eDiamond Jubilee\u003c\/strong\u003e version was the only token that was \u003cem\u003enot\u003c\/em\u003e released to mark a price increase. Available starting in November 1979, these tokens were used at the same time as the large Y cutout (for a 50¢ fare) and celebrated the 75th anniversary of the NYC Subway. They were the same size, but had a diamond punch out at the top. They had the lowest mintage of all tokens we offer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eLarge Solid\u003c\/strong\u003e earrings are a millimeter smaller than the previous tokens and similar to the 1970 version, but without the cutout. These tokens went into use on June 28, 1980, when the fare was raised to 60¢, and remained in use until June 2, 1986.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eBullseye\u003c\/strong\u003e tokens were introduced in April 1986 for a $1.00 fare, and were used concurrently with the large solid until those were retired. These tokens were again the same size, but rather than being solid brass, they had an 8mm wide center of steel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"display: none;\"\u003eThe bullseye was replaced by the \u003cstrong\u003eFive Borough\u003c\/strong\u003e token on November 12, 1995. These were minted from red brass in 1991 and intended for use with the January 1, 1992, fare increase to $1.25. Instead, they kept the bullseye and put these in storage until the increase to $1.50. They had a pentagon punch-out in the center, representing the five boroughs of New York City. These remained in use on the subway until the introduction of the Metro Card on May 4, 2023.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are multiple versions of many of the above with minor differences. Please remember, these are all made from real circulated tokens, so your cufflinks will look slightly different than those shown here.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"New York Cufflinks","offers":[{"title":"Large Solid","offer_id":54509638942933,"sku":"NYC-NYSOLIDCL","price":47.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bullseye","offer_id":54509638975701,"sku":"NYC-NYBULLSCL","price":47.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0605\/7174\/6517\/files\/NYCCufflinks.jpg?v=1752875713"},{"product_id":"chicago-transit-token-cufflinks","title":"Chicago Transit Token Cufflinks","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eBefore Ventra cards, before smart cards, before magnetic stripe fare cards, there was the token. For nearly 50 years, CTA tokens were the standard way to board a bus or hop the 'L' in Chicago, until the city officially retired them on May 31, 1999. These cufflinks are made from the real thing.\u003cspan class=\"inline-flex\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eEach one is a genuine CTA token — that distinctive cutout design, 16mm diameter, the Chicago Transit Authority lettering, built to survive a city. Soldered to the cufflink backs, not glued, because a token that outlasted the 20th century deserves better than craft adhesive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eA great gift for the Chicagoan in your life, the transit history buff, or anyone who appreciates getting somewhere in style.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"New York Cufflinks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51478462791893,"sku":"NYC-CHICL","price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0605\/7174\/6517\/files\/Cufflinks_0007_CTAToken.jpg?v=1747595277"},{"product_id":"garden-state-parkway-token-cufflinks","title":"Garden State Parkway Token Cufflinks","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eIf you grew up in New Jersey, you know the ritual: roll down the window, toss the token, keep moving. Garden State Parkway tokens were introduced in 1981 and retired for good on January 1, 2009, replaced by E-ZPass and a lot less character. Each token measures 23mm across; bigger than a nickel, smaller than a quarter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThese cufflinks are made from the real thing, genuine GSP toll tokens, soldered to the cufflink backs, not glued. A great gift for the Jersey native, the nostalgic commuter, or anyone who misses the days when getting on the Parkway required actual pocket change.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"New York Cufflinks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51478474031317,"sku":"NYC-GSPCL","price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0605\/7174\/6517\/files\/Cufflinks_0000_GSPToken.jpg?v=1747595251"},{"product_id":"connecticut-turnpike-token-cufflinks","title":"Connecticut Turnpike Token Cufflinks","description":"\u003cp\u003eOf all the tokens we've used to make jewelry at Repurfect, these are undoubtedly the shortest-lived.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Connecticut Turnpike opened in 1958. Unlike other states in the Northeast, which issued a ticket on entry and collected payment on exit, Connecticut's toll roads used a barrier system — you paid a quarter (initially) every time you passed through one of the toll plazas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn November 1982, in an attempt to ease bottlenecking at the plazas, drivers could buy a roll of tokens: $7.00 for $10.00 worth of tolls. But they weren't around long. By the end of 1985, Connecticut had abolished tolls on the Turnpike entirely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEven in just three years, the tokens caused their share of trouble. Commuters discovered they were nearly the same size as NYC subway tokens, and since Connecticut's cost far less, they started turning up in MTA fareboxes by the thousands. By the time the Turnpike tokens were retired, more than two million of them had bought discounted rides on the New York City subway.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne side reads CONNECTICUT TURNPIKE, with an outline of the state showing the Turnpike's route and GOOD FOR 1 FARE. The other carries the Connecticut state seal and motto, QUI TRANSTULIT SUSTINET — \"He who transplanted still sustains.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese cufflinks are made from the real thing, genuine Connecticut Turnpike toll tokens, soldered to the cufflink backs, not glued.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"New York Cufflinks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54214745358549,"sku":"NYC-CNTPKCL","price":38.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0605\/7174\/6517\/files\/CuffLink_0000_ConnTpk2.jpg?v=1783724292"},{"product_id":"washington-metro-token-cufflinks-copy","title":"Washington Metro Token Cufflinks","description":"\u003cp\u003eMost transit tokens get a clean retirement date. Not this one — its ending was a lot messier. In January 2008, WMATA stopped selling tokens to the general public as a cost-cutting move, restricting them to students and paratransit riders. The backlash was immediate: charities and social service agencies that relied on tokens to help the needy get around said the cut was too disruptive, and less than two weeks later, WMATA reversed course and started selling tokens to everyone again. Even now, Metro collects more than 125,000 tokens a month from riders — mostly people who've been carrying the same handful of coins for years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese cufflinks are made from the real thing: a genuine WMATA Metrobus token, the raised \"M\" and laurel wreath design, soldered to the cufflink backs, not glued — appropriate treatment for a token that survived its own cancellation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA great gift for the DC commuter, the transit history buff, or anyone who likes owning a piece of currency that's still, weirdly, currency.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"New York Cufflinks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54214983090389,"sku":"NYC-DCCL","price":47.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0605\/7174\/6517\/files\/CuffLink_0004_DCMetro1.jpg?v=1783724955"},{"product_id":"los-angeles-metro-token-cufflinks","title":"Los Angeles MTA Token Cufflinks","description":"\u003cp\u003eLA Metro's tokens didn't last as long as some of the bigger systems — under three decades, compared to the 50-year runs of places like New York and Chicago — but they still carried riders through the birth of the county's modern subway system before TAP cards took over. In circulation from the early 1990s until 2019, they predate the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) itself, which formed in 1993 from the merger of two older transit agencies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe end came gradually, not all at once. Metro spent 18 months phasing tokens out in favor of the TAP card before finally pulling the plug — Friday, November 29, 2019 was the last day tokens were accepted anywhere on the system. Riders with leftover tokens couldn't get a refund, only one final ride loaded onto a TAP card.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese cufflinks are made from the real thing, genuine LA Metro tokens, soldered to the cufflink backs, not glued.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA great gift for the Angeleno in your life, the transit history buff, or anyone who rode the Red Line before it was cool.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"New York Cufflinks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54215147454677,"sku":"NYC-LACL","price":36.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0605\/7174\/6517\/files\/CuffLink_0003_LAMTA1.jpg?v=1783725353"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.repurfect.com\/collections\/new-york-cufflinks-transit.oembed","provider":"Repurfect","version":"1.0","type":"link"}