I think it was a fashion button on which the back (with shank) went missing, or maybe just a shank which broke off, taking a chunk of the front with it. The IOIO pattern around the edge (with two I's at the "corners" and something else at the top, bottom and sides) is just decoration, with no words. Am I seeing it right that there is a lip on the back? Looks like stamped brass, gilt or plated originally, as you mentioned.