History of NYC in Ten Objects

The public radio station WNYC is doing a special upcoming segment on the history of NYC in ten objects -- ten objects that have come to define the evolution of our city. Right now you can go online and see some of the objects that listeners have submitted.

There are some interesting and certainly worthy suggestions -- Greek coffee cups, water towers, the Times Square New Year's Eve ball, hot dog carts, even the legendary Andy Warhol "The Velvet Underground and Nico" album cover.

I like all of these things but there's one item missing -- granted it no longer exists but it used to define what it meant to be a New Yorker. And virtually every New Yorker had one -- if not more than one -- in their pocket at any time.

Of course, I'm talking about ... the subway token!

Personally, I think our city is poorer without them.