Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class

(Eisernes Kreuz 1914 I. Klasse). Reinstituted 5 August 1914 by Kaiser Wilhelm II. (1914-1918 issue). Constructed of iron and silver, consisting of a vaulted Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, 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 block hinge and banjo-style pinback meeting a round wire catch, unmarked, measuring 43.92 mm (w) x 43.98 mm (h), weighing 16.4 grams, demonstrating some fine cracks to the finish of the core, a privately purchased example in near extremely fine condition.