Summary
Iron Cross, second class medal issued by Germany in 1914.
The medal was originally a military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia, established by King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia in 1813. It was designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, a Prussian architect, artist and city planner. The medal has been issued over several different periods of German history so in order to distinguish the event or battle it is marked with the releveant year. In this instance the year 1914 represents service in World War I. The reverse of the medal bears the year 1813 symbolizing the year the award was created. The Iron Cross is only awarded in wartime.
Obverse Description
Crowned Royal cypher (Wilhelm II) above the date 1914.
Reverse Description
Original Iron Cross obverse design (before change): an oak branch with the crowned royal cypher FW (Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia) above and the date 1813 below.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 15 Mar 1976
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Date Issued
1914 AD
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Issued By
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Inscriptions
Obverse: "W / 1914". Reverse: "FW / 1813".
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Material
Iron
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
40 mm (Width)
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Shape
Cross with ribbon
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References
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Keywords