Hello MWP
Eric Smylie's book on "Buttons of the Canadian Militia" covers the period 1900-1990 and your button is obviously much earlier than 1900.
The only reference I have to early Canadian Militia buttons is a two-part article by Rene Chartrand that appeared in "Button Lines", the Journal of the British Button Society.
Your button is not in that article, the nearest design being that for the "Upper Canada Militia" - crown over 'VR' with 'Upper Canada Militia' around the lower rim - also pewter by 'Nutting London' and given a date of 1840-1841.
Also illustrated is an earlier, very different design of 'Canadian Militia' button with a 'GR' cypher dating to about the 1800s-1820s. This is described as "one of the general pattern buttons which could be used by almost any unit".
Given this information I would suggest that you have a general pattern button that was in use in the early 1840s.
Regards
Roger
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