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Roll of NYS Rys. Tokens (c.1938)

Token, Rochester Transit Corporation, Issued 1948

Roll of NYS Rys. Tokens (Rollover the image to zoom)

This token roll is unopened and it good condition. The paper roll is stamped with the words “ROCHESTER TRANSIT CORP. ROCHESTER, NY. 60 TOKENS”

The tokens inside this roll were originally circulated by NYS Railways Rochester Lines, 1931-1938. They are 60 White Metal 16mm tokens. Obverse (front) reads ROCHESTER LINES N.Y.S.RYS. The reverse reads GOOD FOR ONE CITY FARE. These coins are listed in Atwood-Coffee, #NY 780-F.

Tokens and other Rochester Subway artifacts like this one can be highly collectible. 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 token shown above is the token you will receive. As always, if you have any questions regarding this, or any other item, feel free to ask us.

A Token
Identity Crisis.

When we discovered this amazing little roll of coins in a Rochester antique shop, we were amazed — if slightly confused. Amazed because we had never seen an unopened roll of Rochester transit tokens before... Confused because this roll of tokens seems to have a bit of an identity crisis. While the roll itself has been clearly stamped by Rochester Transit Corporation (RTC), the tokens inside (sold individually here) are those of New York State Railways. It turns out, RTC took over operation of Rochester’s rail lines from N.Y.S. Railways in 1938, but the old tokens weren’t discontinued until 1939. So it appears that RTC continued to use the old N.Y.S. Railways tokens during this one-year (or longer) overlap. Of course, in 1948 a similar token reading “Rochester Transit Corp.” would be introduced.

Tokens always had the advantage of not requiring the bus driver or trolley motorman to make change, but they also could be used for quantity discounts. With a fare at 10 cents, you could buy 13 tokens for a dollar. According to Jim Dierks of the NY Museum of Transportation, “A roll like this one is likely the form the tokens would be kept in at the company or in distribution to retail sales locations like newstands, etc.“ Nifty!

For a closer look at this item
rollover the image to the left.

RTC Token (1948-1965)
Good for one city fare on all bus and trolley lines (including the Rochester Subway). Issued 1948. 16mm. White Metal, Copper-plated.


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RTC School Token (1948-1968)
Good for one school fare on all bus and trolley lines (including the Rochester Subway). Issued 1948. 20mm. Bronze.


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1940 Bus & Trolley Transit Pass
$1 transit pass good for one full week on all bus & trolley lines (including the Subway). This pass features an ad for the Grotto Rodea at Edgerton Park.


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1942 Bus & Trolley Transit Pass
$1 transit pass good for one full week on all bus & trolley lines (including the Subway). This pass features an ad for the Grotto Rodea at Edgerton Park.


¤ View Details	\|	SOLD OUT

1943 Bus & Trolley Transit Pass
$1 transit pass good for one full week on all bus & trolley lines (including the Subway). This pass features a wartime ad for the Rochester Civic Music Association.


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1944 Bus & Trolley Transit Pass
$1 transit pass good for one full week on all bus & trolley lines (including the Subway). This pass features an ad for the Rochester YMCA.


¤ View Details	\|	SOLD OUT

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After the Erie Canal was rerouted south of downtown Rochester, the Rochester Industrial & Rapid Transit Railway (the “subway”) was built in its place as a link between the five different railroads and interurban trolley lines that served the Rochester area. As the industrial landscape of Rochester changed, and highways replaced the railroads, the Rochester subway gradually became a relic of a bygone era. In 1956 the subway was abandoned and much of its route was converted into Interstate 490 — built to connect Rochester with the New York State Thruway (I-90).
Read more about the history of the Rochester Subway.

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