New York City retired the MetroCard for new sales on Dec. 31, 2025 as the MTA completed its switch to OMNY tap-and-go payments. Retro and special-edition MetroCards are now appearing on eBay with prices ranging from about $6 to $5,000. OMNY, introduced in 2019, includes a $35 fare cap over a seven-day period when using the same device. The MTA says existing MetroCards will be accepted through 2026 but has not announced a final cutoff.
Retired NYC MetroCards Are Selling for Up to $5,000 on eBay — Collectors Cash In
Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/GettyA person swipes a MetroCard in a New York City subway station on Jan. 13, 2014
New York City's retired MetroCards — once sold for roughly $1 — are turning up on eBay with asking prices that range from a few dollars to as much as $5,000. Sellers are listing everything from ordinary, well-worn cards to rare and commemorative editions that attract collectors and nostalgia buyers.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) ended official MetroCard sales and retired the card for new riders on Dec. 31, 2025, as the agency completed its transition to OMNY, a contactless tap-and-go system rolled out beginning in 2019 and adopted fully in early 2026 for fare payments.
Reports from USA Today, WABC-TV and WCBS-TV show eBay listings priced between about $6 and $5,000. Notable items include a student MetroCard dated 1989 and a set of Notorious B.I.G.-themed cards issued in 2022. Some listings are for original, everyday cards; others advertise special-edition designs or cards sold as collectible sets.
Practical details for riders:
- Riders now pay fares with contactless methods such as credit/debit cards, smartphones, wearables or an OMNY Card.
- Under current OMNY rules, taps are counted toward a $35 fare cap over a seven-day period when using the same device or contactless card for those trips.
- The MTA has said existing MetroCards will still be accepted during 2026, but it has not specified a final cutoff date — customers are advised to spend down or use remaining MetroCard value while acceptance continues.
The resale trend highlights how a once-routine transit item has become a collectible: condition, rarity and provenance now drive value more than face value. Media coverage of the resale activity includes reporting from People, USA Today, WABC-TV and WCBS-TV.
MTA: "The easiest, most flexible way to pay your subway or bus fare is to tap and ride."
If you're considering buying or selling a retired MetroCard, check seller reputation, listing details, photos of the item's condition and any provenance or limited-edition documentation — those factors can dramatically affect price.
Help us improve.
