Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class, by KO

(Eisernes Kreuz 1914 I. Klasse). 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 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 an elongated barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, maker marked “KO” for a widely documented but unidentified manufacturer, measuring 43.05 mm (w) x 42.95 mm (h), weighing 15.9 grams, with minor loss of finish visible to the core and a consistent patina throughout the frame, in near extremely fine condition.