Imperial Iron Cross 2nd Class – Marked 900

Product Description: Imperial Iron Cross 2nd Class. This Imperial Iron Cross 2nd Class is made of three pieces, the two outer frame halves and the iron core. The frame of the cross is made of “900” silver, making it a more sought after type. The high silver content of the frame has created a beautiful patination over the years. The iron core features the Imperial Oakleaves and 1813 on the reverse, and the large “W” and 1914 on the obverse. The iron core’s black paint is nearly 95% intact. The suspension ring of the cross is stamped with the “900” silver content mark as was, and still is, required by German Law. The medal also does come with a portion of original ribbon. This Imperial Iron Cross 2nd Class is in excellent conditon.

Historical Description: The various European nations, states, kingdoms, and empires in existence from the second half of the 19th century through the interwar period prior to 1939 issued an extremely wide array of medals, orders, and awards of all kinds. Awards were issued for military as well as for civil service. Some awards were bestowed for acts of bravery or some other specific individual merit. At the other end of the scale, were commemorative medals that were issued en masse to whole organizations, to recognize some special event or anniversary. The issue of medals and awards increased exponentially during the first World War, and many who fought in those years went on to have long medal bars that displayed their various decorations. Issue of medals for WWI service did not cease in 1918. After the war, the authority to bestow awards seems to have become a subject of confusion in some nations, with various veteran organizations issuing unofficial commemorative medals that were not state sanctioned. When the Third Reich period began in 1933, the very first award officially instituted was a commemorative medal for WWI veterans- the so-called Hindenburg Cross.

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