A ferry token from Sweden’s water-framed archipelago capital
Stockholm

(Stockholm in winter, from https://www.visitstockholm.com/)
People talk about Venice and Amsterdam as being defined by their canals, but the DNA of Stockholm is every bit as watery. A patchwork of islands set on the edge of 75-mile-long freshwater Lake Mälaren and the Baltic Sea, its landscape was shaped by the last Ice Age, when glaciers compressed soils to below water levels. Over time, the terrain began to re-emerge from the depths, forming the 14 islands that now make up the city. The Vikings occupied the island of Björkö in Lake Mälaren for around 200 years, until the late 10th century, when they left to travel further afield.
In 14th century Stockholm, merchants would trade local iron and copper with Hanseatic League cities every summer, wrapping up business before the harbour froze over and ships were unable to sail in and out of the city. Waterways are still a key means of transportation both around, and into and out of the city.
Ferries

(The Delphin, which worked from 1880 – 1940. From Skargardsbatar.se).
Stockholm’s first ferries were boats rowed by roddarmadam (literally ‘rower madam’) — pairs of local women who ran a kind of water taxi system from the 15th century until the early 20th century
Djurgården 7 is a good example of the type of ferries Stockholms Ångslups AB used. She is still sailing and her history is on the Stromma.com site:
“The passenger ship Djurgården 7 was built in 1893 and was the first ferry of its type and appearance. Djurgården 7 was built by Järnvägs AB Stockholm-Saltsjön as a passenger ferry and went between Stadsgården and Karl XII Square.
She was sold in 1937 to Västeras and she was named Elba II. In 1953 she was once again back the name Djurgården 7 when Ångslups Stockholm AB acquired her. In 1971 the old steam engine was replaced to a diesel engine when Waxholmsbolaget took over her. Since 2004, she is part of Strömma as a sightseeing, mingel- and transport boat.”
Not stated in the article, but I suspect the ferry was named for Djurgården. In the 16th century, the island was King Erik XIV’s private weekend hideaway for recreation and hunting. Today, it houses many popular attractions and museums, as well as the Royal National City Park.
Ferry tokens
Stockholm Sweden has more cataloged transit tokens than any other city with over 380 varieties. One of the most prolific issuers is Stockholms Angslups Aktie Bolag a shipping and ferry company. S.A.A.B. was formed in the 1860’s by the J. G.Soderberg family. Several competing ferry companies including Phoenix, Foreningen and ten smaller ferry lines were included in the consolidation. S.A.A.B. is still in operation today.
A list of Stockholms Ångslups AB ships (with images) can be found at skargardsbatar.se.
Payment for the ferry trips was made with tokens that came in various denominations. There were several token kiosks, setup at various places on the city’s quays where you could buy the tokens. One of these kiosks remains in a renovated condition on Skeppsbron below Logårdstrappan. The kiosk was donated in 1987 by Waxholmsbolaget to the Archipelago Boat Association, whose museum ferry Djurgården 3 , once owned by the original Stockholms Ångslups AB, has a berth next door.
Obverse

The obverse contains the name, with the value cut out:
STOCKHOLMS ANGSLUPS
ÖRE
45 (cutout)
ÄKTIEBOLAG
Reverse

The reverse denotes this as a “Passenger token”: PASSAGERARE-POLETT, and gives the maker’s details:
ERIC GUMAELIUS STOCKHOLM.
There are varieties of these tokens, for instance, similar tokens may have pointed or rounded corners. There are also tokens with an original value which has been over-stamped or cut out, making it a very interesting area of collecting.
Future
Stockholm is pioneering the future of ferry transport. In November 2024, the world’s first electric hydrofoil ferry has begun its service. Candela P-12 “Nova” sets out to eliminate emissions from Stockholm’s public transport while halving commute times. The new ferry aims to signal a future where city water transport is sustainable, affordable, and faster than traveling by car. The first 15 km route, from Tappström to Stockholm’s City Hall takes 30 minutes, which is almost half the time of the previous service. No indication of a return to fare tokens. What is your favourite transportation token? Do comment below and let us know!
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