Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class, with Case, by Johann Wagner & Sohn

(Eisernes Kreuz 1914 I. Klasse mit Etui). Reinstituted 5 August 1914 by Kaiser Wilhelm II. (1914-1918 issue). Constructed of iron and silver, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central mobile swastika, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with a barrel hinge and narrow vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, the latter flanked by the maker’s mark of court jeweller Johann Wagner & Sohn, Berlin, measuring 41.70 mm (w) x 41.29 mm (h), weighing 17.8 grams, accompanied a privately-purchased case, constructed of a card sock frame with a faux black leather exterior liner, the lid bearing a silvered Cross Pattée, the interior with a white rayon lid liner and slotted dark blue velvet medal bed, closing with a functional metal spring catch with exterior stud release, unmarked, measuring 64 mm (w) x 64 mm (l) x 22 mm (h), the core demonstrates moderate loss of finish which has resulted in surface oxidation, in overall very fine condition.