1873 Russian Cup?

[Aguest]

Might be a Maker's Mark, but it is difficult to figure it out, came with two other small cups which are absolutely authentic (stamped on both the upper part and the base), but this Cup I am not sure if it is genuine or not. The strange Maker's Mark, which is kind of overstruck, makes me nervous!





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[Aguest]

Cup is 3 inches tall.

[Qrt.S]

All reasons to be nervous. The maker's mark can never over-struck the hallmark because the hallmark cannot be struck unless there is a maker's mark already punched on the object. In addition, if the over-struck mark is not the maker's mark, where is it? A Russian made object has always a maker's mark somewhere. If there is no maker's mark but a Russian hallmark only, it is imported goods. All in all, too many open questions.

[Aguest]

Maybe the fragment can be better seen, between the 84 Zolotnik and the City Stamp