What is this coin?

[fluffy998 0]

Any help appreciated, I picked this up in a job lot. I am assuming it's a copper George III fake as it looks squashed and has unusual sides, but any thoughts would be really appreciated. 

[Paddy 1,717]

It appears to have started life as a halfpenny from the 1770s, whether regal or a contemporary counterfeit is difficult to tell with the level of wear. I has been machined to create the raised rim on both sides. I have seen this done before to create a ferrule for the end of a walking stick, but these are usually deeper and one sided. Not quite sure what purpose this one was created for - possibly to fit on the base of a chair leg?

 

[fluffy998 0]

Thanks Paddy, that's great. 

[mint_mark 9]

Those coins aren't super thick to start with are they? It seems like a lot of material would need to be moved to raise a rim on both sides like that.
And what is the groove for? I thought maybe threading, but can't think of a purpose...

Could it be two coins stuck together? Or does the central thickness seem right for one coin?

Edited January 2 by mint_mark
typo

[Paddy 1,717]

I would agree that there seems to be a lot of metal there. @fluffy998 if you can weigh it we could compare to an unadulterated halfpenny.

I still can't work out what it was done for. It looks like a wheel for some toy, but then you would expect and axle hole in the centre.

 

[HistoricCoinage 146]

My first thought was a smuggler's box. Often seen some with snuff inside.

[Sword 1,453]

I think a smuggler's box wouldn't normally have a raised rim. Just did a web search and coins with raised edges appear to be quite common. Here is a video showing some examples.

 

 

[VickySilver 830]

Rolled as in through the washing machine....Well known phenom. Also there is the method of "spooning" or tapping the edge.

[Sword 1,453]

But I think the groove at the edge has to be made specifically (for whatever or no reason). Also only the obverse has been rubbed which might suggest it was once mounted or just someone has got bored after cleaning one side. 

[Coinery 1,146]

OR it was cleaned both sides but stored for a long time with the obverse facing down?

I feel it could be the lid made for a little box present.

If it were mine I’d be tempted to drill 4 holes in it and make a cool button