H021896 IRON CROSS 1ST CLASS, 1939 “800 Vaulted”. (Eisernes Kreuz I Klasse)

BACKGROUND: On March 10TH 1813, Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III established the Iron Cross as a temporary award for bestowal during times of war. Originally the Iron Cross was introduced in three grades with a Grand Cross intended for award to Senior Commanders for successfully leading troops in combat and the First and Second classes for award to all ranks for bravery or merit in action. The Iron Crosses were re instituted by King Wilhelm I on July 19TH 1870 for award during the Franco Prussian War and again on August 5TH 1914 by King Wilhelm II for award during WWI. On September 1ST 1939 Hitler once more re instituted the Iron Cross series of awards in the First and Second Classes and established the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross. The first class medal was for award to personnel who performed three to five acts of bravery in combat, and had already been awarded the Iron Cross 2ND class. Recipients of an Iron Cross were permitted, with the proper documentation, to privately purchase a jeweler’s copy of the award, at their own expense, if so desired. Due to the prestige of the award personnel who could afford it would opt to buy a jeweler’s copy for everyday wear with the actual award being put away for safe keeping. 

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Private purchase, die struck, three piece, iron and nickel/silver plated alloy construction Patté style cross with a single piece bronze core and a two piece alloy frame. The obverse of the award features an embossed, central, canted swastika with the re institution date, "1939", to the bottom arm. The swastika is in nice high relief while the date is somewhat lower. The plain reverse has a central, raised, screw receiving post with internal screw threads and a raised pin to the center of the top arm to prevent the cross from rotating when worn. The cross comes complete with it original two piece screw back plate. Cross is 800 silver marked.

GRADE ****1/4                             PRICE $655.00

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