It's a mystery (to me) Old Naval College?
Remembering my schoolboy Latin 'Collegium Regium' means King's College or Royal College.
The literal translation of 'Collegium Regium Navale' is 'King's College in dock'!
The crown featured on the button is the Naval Crown. This is featured on many maritime items ranging from merchant navy buttons to Royal Navy ship's badges. It is of purely maritime significance and does not signify that it was attached specifically to something of Merchant or Royal Navy origins.
The Royal Hospital at Greenwich closed in the late-1860s (1869 from memory) and the buildings lay empty for a few years before reopening as the Royal Naval College in the early-1870s. I have come across buttons linked specifically to the the Royal Hospital but I have never come across any special buttons for the Royal Naval College.
I will check my records and get back to you.
Pete
Last edited by Guzzman; 15-04-20 at 02:14 PM.
Reason: Spelling!
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