Off-Metal 1854 2½ Dollar Liberty

Hello, I just recently purchased a large group of shield and liberty nickels, after I started sorting them I came across this piece. It has the design of an 1854 2½ Dollar gold piece, but its not made of gold. I right now suspect that it may be a contemporary counterfeit, but also the thought that it way be a pattern or die trial has popped through my mind. I am currently looking for just a solid opinion on what it is. I am also wondering why on earth it was worn down so much.
Now down to the specifics, I weighed it and quickly scanned it with the XRF gun, here are the results:

Weight: 2.67g
Diameter: 18.0mm

Metal Content
Copper: 63.49%
Zinc: 22.12%
Nickel: 14.38%

Note: The edge is reeded, and upon comparing it to a known genuine piece I have noted that the spacing is the same.

All opinions and comments apricated!

 

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Interesting. I have no idea, but following to see.

 

Maybe a counterfeit or reproduction coin?
Interesting!

 

I checked Numista and there isn't a single coin or piece of exonumia with that composition. I find it interesting how worn it is. Perhaps it was a gold plated counterfeit that was used as a pocket piece?

 

Wow.... All the pattern pieces dated 1854 are one cent denominations from what I can glean and 18mm is the diameter of a three cent nickel.... I am leaning towards @Mr. Numismatist take. A gold plated counterfeit that circulated. What a cool mystery.

 

That's cool.

 

It looks like a well circulated silver coin. I believe it has a D mint mark. I’m not awake enough yet to say more.

 

All I know is, if my opinion is going to be apricated by the OP, I can go to the beach and lay in the sun and wither without having to answer questions.

BTW, souvenir piece, had the word Copy on it.
I guess it could be labeled a modern/contemporary counterfeit, given the on purpose wearing of the trinket, but that was simply to get rid of the word copy.

 

What on Earth...?

Edit: for clarity, this is bafflement at the OP's coin, not at any posts preceding mine.

 

Brit English. Figuridoud.

 

I'm listening, I don't hold any grudges against you.

 

Brit English. Basking in the sun and withering.
My humor attempt fail, again. Oh well.....

 

Sorry, our posts crossed in the mail. I was commenting on the original item, hadn't yet seen your post.

 

I tried to get it. I really did

 

In the mid-1850’s, there was quite a bit of experimentation in the mint to find an appropriate design and composition for a small cent. Planchets with varying composition were used to produce pattern cents. It’s possible that one of these planchets was put in a press striking quarter eagles to produce the coin. It’s probably a unique error coin and a great find!

Cal

 

Spoken like Carion.

 

If it's this, where do you send it for verification?

 

PCGS should be able to handle it. There may be an extra charge for them to do their own metal composition determination. It would be best to submit it at a major show where it could be discussed with the personnel there.

Cal

 

@Coins4Eli I do hope you pursue this further and keep us updated. There has to be something deeper going on here that we aren’t seeing. If it didn’t have a reeded edge I would think possibly a jewelry trinket perhaps… It’s a very cool mystery.

 

Pretty good guess. You get star