Tokens and Emblems

As Magic is a card game, it stands to reason that everything on the battlefield is, in fact, a card.  But there are two objects that aren't- tokens and emblems- and these are the subject of today's post.  From the official rules:

• 111.1. Some effects put tokens onto the battlefield. A token is a marker used to represent any permanent that isn’t represented by a card. 
• 114.1. Some effects put emblems into the command zone. An emblem is a marker used to represent an object that has one or more abilities, but no other characteristics. 

Many effects create tokens or emblems. Players may use anything they wish to represent tokens or emblems: coins, pieces of paper, miniatures, etc. In recent years, Wizards started making cards for both, and include them randomly in booster packs (as a sixteenth card). Examples of cards that create tokens and token cards:

To date, only planeswalkers can create emblems (often as their 'big' ability); some examples of emblem cards:

Though the token/emblem cards aren't mandatory, they're certainly nice (visually and functionally), especially in helping keep things clear. If you play Magic Arena, they use these.

Important rules to remember about tokens and emblems (quotes from the official rules):

• Tokens/emblems are not considered cards (even if you're using cards to represent them).
• Tokens are placed on the battlefield; emblems in the command zone.
• The spell or ability that creates the token defines its characteristics.  This may include color, name, creature type/subtype, power/toughness, and more. But tokens have no mana cost.
• Three tokens are common in certain expansions and are predefined; the player is expected to know the token's characteristics when created.  They are:
• Treasure token: "a colorless Treasure artifact token with “{T}, Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color.”"
• Food token: "a colorless Food artifact token with “{2}, {T}, Sacrifice this artifact: You gain 3 life.”"
• Gold token: "a colorless Gold artifact token with “Sacrifice this artifact: Add one mana of any color.”"
• Tokens are permanents and therefore are "subject to anything that affects permanents in general or that affects the token’s card type or subtype."
• "A token that's in a zone other than the battlefield ceases to exist."  So let's say you have a creature token. If your opponent destroys that token through a destroy spell, your token creature vanishes (no going to the graveyard); if they play a 'return to hand' spell, it likewise vanishes (no going into your hand). 
• The ability that creates an emblem defines its characteristics, but (unlike tokens) it will have no name, color, etc.
• An emblem is not a permanent.  To date, nothing can affect or remove an emblem once created.

Tokens and emblems aren't difficult when you get the hang of it, but understand the nuances- especially the reality of tokens 'vanishing' when they leave the battlefield.