Token

A token is a permanent that is not represented by a card. Usually, but not always, tokens are creatures (It is possible to use cards such as Followed Footsteps and Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker to create noncreature tokens).

If a token leaves play and goes to another game zone, it will be there only briefly before ceasing to exist as a state-based effect.

Examples

• Teysa, Orzhov Scion has the ability: "Whenever another black creature you control is put into a graveyard from play, put a 1/1 white Spirit token with flying into play." If you have a black token creature that gets destroyed, it will go to the graveyard, trigger Teysa's ability and put it on the stack, then disappear.
• Momentary Blink reads in part: "Remove target creature you control from the game, then return it to play under its owner's control." If this spell is used on a token creature, it will leave play, but cannot come back into play and so stays removed from the game. It will cease to exist when state-based effects are next checked.

From the Comprehensive Rules

• 216. Tokens
  • 216.1. Some effects put token creatures into play. A token is controlled by whomever put it into play and owned by the controller of the spell or ability that created it. The spell or ability may define any number of characteristics for the token. A token doesn't have any characteristics not defined by the spell or ability that created it. The spell or ability that creates the token sets both its name and its creature type. If the spell or ability doesn't specify the name of the token, its name is the same as its creature type(s). A "Goblin Scout creature token," for example, is named "Goblin Scout" and has the creature subtypes Goblin and Scout. Once a token is in play, changing its name doesn't change its creature type, and vice versa.
  • 216.2. A token is subject to anything that affects permanents in general or that affects the token's type or subtype. A token isn't a card (even if represented by cards from other games or Unglued(tm) cards).
  • 216.3. A token in a zone other than the in-play zone ceases to exist. This is a state-based effect. (Note that a token changing zones sets off triggered abilities before the token ceases to exist.) Once a token has left play, it can't be returned to play by any means.
  • 216.4 A token that has left play can’t come back into play. If such a token would return to play, it remains in its current zone instead. It ceases to exist the next time state-based effects are checked.