This is an authentic 1918 German 50 Pfennig emergency coin (Kriegsgeld) issued by the city of Balingen in Württemberg during World War I. The obverse prominently displays the denomination number 50 centrally located, encircled by a beaded rim, the text KRIEGSGELD, and the commemorative year 1918, flanked by two small rosettes. The reverse features the traditional coat of arms of Balingen, displaying a quartered shield beneath a stag's antler, surrounded by a beaded rim and the German lettering OBERAMTSSTADT and BALINGEN, also separated by rosettes. During this historical period, Balingen served as an important "Oberamtsstadt" or administrative district capital within the Kingdom of Württemberg, issuing this local necessity coinage due to severe national metal shortages. Minted in zinc by Jörgum & Trefz in Frankfurt am Main, this round token features a plain edge. The dimensions of this historic piece are 24.2 mm in diameter and it has a weight of 2.5 grams.