it is indeed cork. Now for the question turn as is or would you stabilise it in some way. I do not have any blank making equipment so that is out, I mainly turn wood now for pens which I must get around to doing some more. Like most things I have a list as long as my arm to do first.
This photo shows some of the ones yet to complete. The prepared long pieces through the centre will be 5 money boxes which I am now half way through. One that was completed a while back