WWI WW2 German Iron Cross 1st Class Pin 1914 Vaulted medal for Sale

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WWI WW2 German Iron Cross 1st Class Pin 1914 Vaulted medal For Sale

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WWI WW2 German Iron Cross 1st Class Pin 1914 Vaulted medal:
$14.99

This pin measure 0.88" on each side. Black Ceramic enamel baked onto silver colored metal. Pin clasp is very sturdy.

Iron Cross, , German Eiserne Kreuz, Prussian military decoration instituted in 1813 by Frederick William III for distinguished service in the Prussian War of Liberation. Use of the decoration was revived by William I for the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, recreated in 1914 for World War I, and last revived by Adolf Hitler on Sept. 1, 1939, the same day that German forces invaded Poland.

Originally, the Cross had three classes, listed in ascending order: second class, first class, and Grand Cross, the latter being awarded only 19 times through the end of World War I (1918). A special class, the Grand Cross on a radiant star, was created especially for Field Marshal G.L. Blücher after the Battle of Waterloo (1815). It was awarded only once more, to Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg in 1918. A civilian order of the Cross was created for and conferred upon (1915) the English Germanophile Houston Stewart Chamberlain. From the time of its creation until the end of World War I, 5,719,300 Iron Crosses first and second class were awarded.

The basic design of the medal has remained constant, that of a Maltese Cross of cast iron edged with silver. The World War II design had “1939” etched on the bottom arm, where formerly the dates had been “1813,” “1870,” or “1914.” The reverse side of the World War II medal had “1813” inscribed.