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History of Transit Tokens
All of our Boston transportation token jewelry is named after a subway station, whether it be on Blue, Green, Orange or Red Line!
Subway Tokens have been used in Boston on and off for almost 90 years. The first metal token was issued by the Boston Elevated Railway in February of 1919. They have changed many times through the years.
The city's first trains issued paper tickets that passengers put in a chopper that ground the ticket to a pulp so it couldn't be reused.
To save money, the Boston Elevated Railway Co began issuing what it called metal tickets. Boston's first true transit tokens, though their history dates to 1837.
The bronze token was introduced in 1923, embossed with Big "B". It was used until the mid 30's when Boston tokens disappeared until about 1950.
Tokens were taken out of circulation again on July 1, 1969, when the T switched to a 25-cent fare increase. Two years later, the first token vending machine was introduced at Park Street station. They remained in use until the automated "Charlie Card" system took over.
There were also a few French 10 centime coins in circulation at the T , weighing and measuring about the same as a token. It was a secret at the agency that the French coin, which was worth about 3 cents before France switch to the Euro, could be used instead of a T token.
the bead bar boutique
Subway Tokens have been used in Boston on and off for almost 90 years. The first metal token was issued by the Boston Elevated Railway in February of 1919. They have changed many times through the years.
The city's first trains issued paper tickets that passengers put in a chopper that ground the ticket to a pulp so it couldn't be reused.
To save money, the Boston Elevated Railway Co began issuing what it called metal tickets. Boston's first true transit tokens, though their history dates to 1837.
The bronze token was introduced in 1923, embossed with Big "B". It was used until the mid 30's when Boston tokens disappeared until about 1950.
Tokens were taken out of circulation again on July 1, 1969, when the T switched to a 25-cent fare increase. Two years later, the first token vending machine was introduced at Park Street station. They remained in use until the automated "Charlie Card" system took over.
There were also a few French 10 centime coins in circulation at the T , weighing and measuring about the same as a token. It was a secret at the agency that the French coin, which was worth about 3 cents before France switch to the Euro, could be used instead of a T token.
