Metallic stored value token and method of manufacture

A stored value token comprising:

• a metallic substrate having been stamped by a die to a substantially planar three-dimensional form further comprising a first side and a second side;
• a first surface portion of the second side of the metallic substrate corresponding to a mechanically roughened first portion of the die, wherein the first surface portion upon being stamped is comprising a less reflective matte finish relative to the first side and a second surface portion of the second side of the metallic substrate;
• a substantially transparent coat layer upon the first surface portion of the second side of the metallic substrate;
• and an ink layer upon the substantially transparent coat layer on the first surface portion, said ink layer comprising machine readable indicia as a unique identifier with respect to the stored value token.

A system comprising:

• a host server network functionally linked via a communications network to a point of sale device;
• a stored value token further comprising:
• a metallic substrate having been stamped by a die to a substantially planar three-dimensional form further comprising a first side and a second side, a first surface portion of the second side of the metallic substrate corresponding to a mechanically roughened first portion of the die, wherein the first surface portion upon being stamped is comprising a less reflective matte finish relative to the first side and a second surface portion of the second side of the metallic substrate, a substantially transparent coat layer upon the first surface portion of the second side of the metallic substrate, an ink layer upon the substantially transparent coat layer on the first surface portion, said ink layer comprising machine readable indicia as a unique identifier with respect to the stored value token;
• and wherein the host server network is configured upon receiving the identifier as scanned from the point of sale device to extract stored value information corresponding to an account associated with the token and to transmit said information to the point of sale device.