1803 turban head in copper???

So a dealer buddy thinks this could be an off metal mint error. I didn't notice it until I took the pictures but I see some possible gold plating remanents. So maybe it's a contemporary counterfeit that has worn down through the centuries? Weight is 5g. Thoughts?...

He thinks it might be an rpd too

 

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To my eye, contemp is the only option here.

 

Ain't a chance it's real. The diameter indicates it's a Half Eagle, and those were all plain overdates of 1802.

 

Figured it isn't real. Just wanted to get a consensus for him on what it is, if it's a period cc or what

 

It looks like a Kettle token.

How long has your dealer friend been in business?

 

Very good, sir.

 

He's the turn & burn type. What's a kettle token?

 

http://uspatterns.stores.yahoo.net/kettletokens.html

 

questionable contemporary, but a definite fake

 

PS These are NOT U.S. patterns they have ALWAYS been considered game counters. Time was you could get them in the junk box for 50c, now some fool would probably pay $50. Some fool like me would still pay $$$ for an original Uncirculated piece! I have seen an AU w/most of its plating decades ago.

A collector like Ford or Newman probably has some in high grade.

 

Wow, I think you nailed it on the kettle token insider

 

It definitely looks like it has something that could be "KETTLE" immediately to the right of the date.

 

I noticed that after looking at books' link

 

Yes..my vote, since you can almost read the work "KETTLE" to the right of the date.

 

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How could a dealer think that was real , I wouldn't count on him for authenticating any of my coins .

 

I would have guessed contemporary counterfeit

 

He didn't really think it was real. Just that maybe it was an off metal. Not all dealers know what we do on forums. Especially turn & burn types. I'm not sure much early 19th c. stuff walks through the door. Plus he was only at like a 10%, if that, chance of it being a us mint product. He knows his stuff in a very general sense but when it comes to errors, varieties, late 18th & early19th c, world, etc that's not his bag

 

Kettle token

'dude

 

Dude