OK -- so here's a foto of the escalator with the faceplate unattached and moved to the right:
Without 'diverter' A (sketched in black), nickels get relegated to the slugbox (white path).
Note there is also a 'diverter' B to keep the nickel moving in the correct direction (red path).
Note the section circled in orange on the faceplate, looks like it was cut out at some point.
The word 'gulden' appears on the award card -- perhaps this machine was originally a European slot later converted to nickels after it came across the pond?
What a mess!