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Arts & Entertainment

Artist Dropping Coin In NYC For Over 30 Years


By

Jen Carlson

Published Mar 17, 2010

Modified Mar 17, 2010


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By

Jen Carlson

Published Mar 17, 2010

Modified Mar 17, 2010


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Have you ever found one of these little tokens? Artist Beriah Wall (pictured) has been making them in his Brooklyn home for decades—each one containing his initials, the year, and a phrase. He began making them in 1977, after he used a similar ceramic coin to announce his marriage. Wall, now 63, tells the NY Times that he's likely dispersed hundreds of thousands over the past few decades, leaving them not only around New York City, but California, Africa and Tibet, as well. Currently he grabs a bunch whenever he leaves the house and drops them along his journey that day. His latest batch read: "Stuck in Brkln," which he explains: "I came to New York with stars in my eyes thinking I’d hit it big, and here I am, stuck in Brooklyn.”

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Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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