Of all the tokens we've used to make jewelry at Repurfect, these are undoubtedly the shortest-lived.

The Connecticut Turnpike opened in 1958. Unlike other states in the Northeast, which issued a ticket on entry and collected payment on exit, Connecticut's toll roads used a barrier system — you paid a quarter (initially) every time you passed through one of the toll plazas.

In November 1982, in an attempt to ease bottlenecking at the plazas, drivers could buy a roll of tokens: $7.00 for $10.00 worth of tolls. But they weren't around long. By the end of 1985, Connecticut had abolished tolls on the Turnpike entirely.

Even in just three years, the tokens caused their share of trouble. Commuters discovered they were nearly the same size as NYC subway tokens, and since Connecticut's cost far less, they started turning up in MTA fareboxes by the thousands. By the time the Turnpike tokens were retired, more than two million of them had bought discounted rides on the New York City subway.

One side reads CONNECTICUT TURNPIKE, with an outline of the state showing the Turnpike's route and GOOD FOR 1 FARE. The other carries the Connecticut state seal and motto, QUI TRANSTULIT SUSTINET — "He who transplanted still sustains."

These cufflinks are made from the real thing, genuine Connecticut Turnpike toll tokens, soldered to the cufflink backs, not glued.