I would say that it is a >>q<<. By 1877, the Belgian inspectors had worn out their dies & when they had new dies made I guess that they had the foresight to know that the Germans were going to have a >>Crown<< coupled with many of their proofmarks. So on their new dies they had a >>Star<< or >>Spangle<< placed over their respective letters. There should be additional marks on the lower rib out towards the forend wedge.

The candlestick you note is the >>Perron<<, a staple or insignia of Liège.


Cheers,

Raimey
rse