Royal crown over R improvd oomposn(?)

So wondering what the age might be please.

 

probably says improved composition so some sort of alloy ..guessing 1870's?

 

Thanks!

 

I can’t find this hallmark anywhere. Have any photos that are similar or near similar? Is the hallmark part of a reine of a king?

 

Just so you know, it's not a "hallmark." A hallmark only appears on precious metals (gold, silver, platinum) as a guarantee of fineness at an official standard established by government.

Looks like pewter?

 

Yes it is pewter. Thank you for the clarification.

 

Can anyone make out the letters under the crown? Second one looks like R.

Mikey

 

Yep! It’s an R

 

There is another letter to. the left of the R

 

'VR' = Victoria Regina...

~Cheryl

 

Cheryl nailed it.
Crown over VR is for the realm of Victoria Regina.

Mikey

 

Guess my eyes are shot tonight.....I see a kind of script 'R', but just don't see the 'V'.......but I agree there's 'something' there....sort of....I think.......

 

The "c. 1835" would be no earlier than 1837, and believe the 'JO/HN/YA/TE/S' marks are present but pretty much obscured - the 'Improved Composition' most likely refers to Britannia Metal:







1837 Yates advertisement:




~Cheryl

 

try to bend it. when it's soft - pewter with too much lead - then it could be from Her Majesty's Pleasure. made to prevent the inmates to use it as weapon.

 

Welcome Fishr.
Britannia Metal is 92% tin, the other components are copper and antimony. It generally looks more silvery than this spoon though

 

Light bulb moment, improved compost, that explains the darker colour.

 

Thanks everyone!!! You’re right, there appears to be marks below the R but are too far gone to see anything else. Oh there’s no bending this thing. It’s solid.

Edit: Where it’s supposed to read Compost, the T looks like a definite N. Any ideas?

 

The clip comes from a century-old reference, suspect the illustration might have been taken from a poorly struck example - 'COMPOSN' would be a more likely abbreviation of 'COMPOSITION'...

~Cheryl