Description: World War I Imperial German Iron Cross with original piece of black ribbon bordered by white stripes, representing the House Colors of Prussia. The German Iron Cross is the most recognized valor medal in the entire world.This example is made by KO, (ring stamped) which stands for the "Kaiserliche Ordensampt". KO was the State run mint which supplied many Iron Crosses for presentation. This iron cross has a central core made from cast iron, surrounded by a sterling silver frame. The obverse of the cross depicts the Imperial crown located at the 12 o'clock position, while the center depicts a large capital "W" denoting "Wilhelm". At the 6 o'clock leg of the cross we find the date of 1914, representing the reinstitution of the cross for the first world war fought between 1914/1918.

History: The Iron Cross was instituted in 1813 and was only presented during times of war in which Germany was an actual participant. With each subsequent conflict fought by Germany the award would be re instituted and the obverse 6 o'clock position of the iron core would represent the beginning year date of the renewed conflict. These dates begin in 1813 being followed by 1870, The Franco Prussian war, 1914, World War I, and then lastly, 1939.Up until 1939 Germany was ruled by a Monarchy, represented by the Imperial Crown and a "W" on the obverse, the reverse incorporated the Crown over "FW" (Friedrich Wilhelm) with a three leafed sprig of oak leaves, along with the inception date of 1813. When the first world war ended in 1918 so did the Monarchy with Germany becoming a Republic.Once Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933 all official Government regalia was somehow designed to incorporate the new national symbol of the Swastika. In Sept. of 1939 with Hitler declaring war on Poland the obverse of the Iron Cross changed by eliminating the Crown, W, etc., and adding the swastika to the center of the cross and adding the 1939 date to the 6 o'clock leg. The reverse was made blank except for the crosses inception date of 1813.

Provenance: N/A

Dimensions: Weight (Pounds & Ounces) = 0.5 | Height(in) = 3.5 | Width(in) = 3.5 | Depth(in) = 0.25

Size of Artwork(in): 2.25 x 1.75 x .125"

Artist Name: Kaiserliche Ordensampt

Medium: Iron/Sterling Silver

Circa: 1914/1918

Good condition with some tarnish to the silver frame.