tara broach made from a copper coin

"My mother wore this hand made broach a lot when I was a chlid- (1953 to early 60s). I used to think it was made of chocolate and that the shiny stones were like sweep papers. I always loved it and when my sisters and I got to chose our favourite pieces of jewelry after our mother's death in 2004, this was my first pick. I have lost a few costly pieces over the years but I will never lose this. I love it. A friend recently suggested it might have been made by a prisoner- using materials in common use and could have a political significance? I'd love to know more about its origins but I neglected to ask when i could have. "