This 'thing' came in a batch of poor Byzantine coins I purchased some time ago. So far it has defied attempts to identify it. I've guessed at Indian princely issue but anyones guess would be welcome!

UNKNOWN

I have no idea what that is.

I found THIS LINK for a collector of Indian coins. Maybe sending him an email might produce the answer, or maybe he might have some suggestions of whom you should contact to find out.

Here is ANOTHER LINK with contact information.

Thanks for those, grivna. I have them bookmarked and will peruse them later (I'm off on holiday!! )