Cosa Nostra Coins by Ellusionist
Ellusionist.com
Five families controlled the city. Those were the Lucchese, Bonanno, Colombo, Gambino & Genovese crime families.
But we all know them by another name... The Mafia.
Made men or members inside The Mafia would refer to it as Cosa Nostra, aka "our thing."
The myth is that every wiseguy carried a coin. This coin had no value but could buy anything - unlimited drinks, meals out, gas for their cars, and especially loyalty... It was a way to spend fear.
The rumor is that if you were a business owner who didn't accept, they'd break your leg and stuff your own foot in your pocket.
But it was hard to prove their criminality... Nobody was talking.