NYC Subway Token Keys Made by Greenwich Locksmiths
Subway token keys are the latest in a series of specialty artisan works by Philip Mortillaro of Greenwich Locksmiths.
The New York City Subway is an icon of the beautiful city that we call home. It runs every day, with daily ridership in the millions. These days you swipe a “metro card” in order to board a train. You might ask how did you get on the subway before that? The answer is with a NYC Subway Token. These beautiful tokens are brass coins that were minted by the MTA. Each was sold as a ticket onto the NYC subway system. Each one is inscribed with the phrase “Good For One Fare” which is exactly what they were. You would drop your token into the turnstile to get into the subway.
The NYC Subway Token Key by Greenwich Locksmiths is an homage to a simpler time when our personal effects had beauty, simplicity and a greater sense of permanence. Subway tokens weren’t disposable. The MTA collected and resold them! The solid brass composition of the NYC Subway Token makes for a perfect key head – both aesthetically and functionally.
Subway Token Keys are handmade with authentic vintage NYC subway tokens
We can take your house keys and turn them into NYC Subway Token Keys. This is not just for your standard house keys. Any apartment or building key can be made into a NYC Subway Token Key. Incorporate a piece of New York City history into your daily routine!
NYC Subway Token Skeleton Keys
Don’t use keys or only have electronic keys? Check out our NYC Subway Token Skeleton Keys. With the head of a NYC Subway Token and the body of an imported European skeleton key (the ones left over from our beautiful Castle Keys) each is a unique work of art. Made in the decades long Greenwich Locksmiths tradition of precision and authenticity, these high quality pieces are the perfect addition to your key ring.
Featured in The Gothamist
We were proud to be featured in the popular NYC news site ‘The Gothamist’ in an article about our NYC Subway Token Keys and how they came to be. WNYC/Gothamist journalist Hannah Frishberg visited us at our store to learn about us, our process, and how we go about acquiring so many subway tokens.
We were even more pleased when shortly after The Gothamist elected to include us in their 16 ideas for holiday gifts that scream New York City. It was an honor to share the page with other amazing New York institutions and great ideas.
Featured on Fox 5 New York
The day The Gothamist article went online, it felt great to receive so many phone calls. However, we received one unexpected call – Fox 5 New York wanted to come down and film a segment for the evening news! We got to meet Jessica Formoso and tell her the story of our subway token keys. We showed off many different types of keys we have, as well as filmed the process of making one from start to finish. It was such a pleasant experience and turn out so well. Watch us on Fox 5 News here
Featured by New York Nico
We started making Subway Token keys in early December 2023. Internet sensation New York Nico visited us at that time. He included the subway token keys in the short feature on our store. Our NYC Subway Token keys especially fascinated Nico because he has a tattoo of a NYC subway token! A New York symbol with a tattoo of a New York symbol – amazing!
We ship NYC Subway Token Keys Worldwide
Want a NYC Subway Token Key but don’t live in NYC? No problem! Give us a call at 212-645-2858 to place a phone order or send us an email. We provide free shipping to the contiguous 48 states and ship internationally. It has been a pleasure to connect with people from all over the world, many who once lived in NYC and many who even remember the subway tokens!