Summary

Iron Cross, second class medal issued by Germany in 1914.

The iron cross 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 Iron Cross is only awarded in wartime.

Physical Description

A black cross with loop and ribbon. The obverse features an oak branch with the crowned royal cypher FW (Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia) above and the date 1813 below. The reverse is inscribed 'W / 1914'.

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.

Edge Description

Plain.

More Information