Images(2)

Token, Transportation

Object number2015.98.1

Date1960-1985

MediumMetal

Credit LineGift of Martin Christopher

DescriptionRound gold-tone metal parking token. Raised rim on both sides. Both sides have raised text about the token's use.Dimensions0.875 x 0.875 x 0.063 x 0.875 in. (2.2 x 2.2 x 0.2 x 2.2 cm)
InscriptionsBoth sides have raised text:
One side reads "SWISSVALE / SHOP / SWISSVALE / C. OF C."

Other side reads "GOOD ONLY / IN / PARKING LOT METERS".
Historical Notes"Shop Swissvale" parking token that belonged to donor Martin Christopher's father. Swissvale had an active Chamber of Commerce that very likely could have produced these coins to encourage shopping in the area. The Swissvale Chamber of Commerce became inactive sometime in the early 1970s and in the 1980s there were efforts and talks to revive it, it was finally started again in 1990. One suggestion in a 1983 article in the paper was to issue parking tokens to local businesses to hand out to customers in order to encourage more shopping in the area rather than at suburban malls. This token could be from that mid-1980s attempt to revive Swissvale or could be from earlier and have just given them the idea to try this type of promotion again.

Related institution Swissvale Chamber of Commerce

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