Token of appreciation

"To show my appreciation" has some curious implications: That appreciation is a thing, that can be shown.

There is a subtle danger in that. The danger of appreciation turning into reciprocity. Into a quantified, measurable amount of appreciation to show.

The language of "a token of my appreciation" sits better with me.

Here, this is a token of my appreciation. It is a physical thing.
But it is not the thing.
Thank you.