It was plated and has other weird things done to it hence a high school experiment,I doubt someone would fake a zilincon.
I would bet on that. Way too many really weird design devices to be plating. I wonder if its the same size as a normal cent.
If it is fake, and better pictures would help to discern this, it's possible it was made from a homemade casting for fun. I can envision an accurate impression being made with a genuine Lincoln cent and then the portrait in the mold toyed and monkeyed with prior to pouring.