Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class, Brass Version by Wilhelm Deumer, c. 1930

(Eisernes Kreuz 1914 I. Klasse). Reinstituted 5 August 1914 by Kaiser Wilhelm II. (1914-1918 issue). Constructed of blackened and silvered brass, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened core, the obverse with a central initial “W”, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1914”, the twelve o’clock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with a crimped hinge and narrow vertical pinback meeting a flattened and rounded catch, unmarked but demonstrating the characteristics of manufacture by Wilhelm Deumer, Lüdenscheid, c. 1930, measuring 43.43 mm (w) x 43.56 mm (h), weighing 14.7 grams, demonstrating minor loss of finish to high-contact points of both the core and frame which has exposed the brass base, in near extremely fine condition.