I am Sean Sellers, a licensed sightseeing guide. When I visited New York City with a teacher in 1982 the seed was planted. Excited by the vigor and vitality of this metropolis along with over 722 miles of subway tracks, each token presented the most astonishing results in American history and unique locations. Once licensed by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) I established One Token Tours.

    During my first visit a subway token cost 75 cents, it was known as the “Solid Brass NYC” token. The evolution of the token from its inception in 1953 as the “Small Y” token, the ‘Y’ was cut through the metal token, the ‘Y’ between the ‘N’ and ‘C’ of NYC. The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) always one step ahead of counterfeiters and slug coins, changed the design of the coin over time.

     The last of the subway tokens had a pentagon shape cut through the center known as the “Five Boroughs.” That token was phased out just after midnight on April 13, 2003 and today we swipe what is known as a ‘Metrocard’ valued at $2.25 each ride.

     One Token Tours pays homage to a part of the history of this city that I share with you.