#99 • Imperial German World War I 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class

Part of British & World Medals (live auction by Bannerman Auctions)

High bid $170.00

Status: Sold

Imperial German World War I 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class. German World War I period Iron Cross, 1st class with vaulted profile and reverse of medal featuring barrel hinge and vertical banjo-style pinback with round wire catch. Directly below catch on reverse is stamped "800". Medal exhibits some wear, tarnishing to silver and some slight patina loss to iron core. Estimate: $150 - $250 Historical Background: The Iron Cross 1st Class was a prestigious military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia, and later the German Empire, revived specifically for World War I (1914-1918). Originally introduced in 1813 during the Wars of Liberation, the Iron Cross was unique because it was awarded across all ranks for exceptional courage in the field, making it a symbol of egalitarian practice and popular uprising linked to Prussian military tradition. During WWI, it continued to symbolize Prussian and German military service, and while originally only granted for the duration of the Wars of Liberation, it was successively revived in 1870, 1914, and 1939. The 1st Class distinction, unlike the 2nd Class which was typically worn on a ribbon, was a pin-backed badge worn directly on the uniform, often on the breast pocket. This particular class of the decoration recognized repeated bravery or achievement following the award of the Iron Cross 2nd Class. The WWI-period cross featured the year '1914' and maintained its traditional design. Although the decoration was eventually replaced and updated in subsequent periods (like the 1939 version which included a swastika), the 1914 version remains a significant piece of German military history.