Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class

(Eisernes Kreuz 1914 I. Klasse). Reinstituted 5 August 1914. (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 reverse with a barrel hinge and tapering vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, the pinback maker marked “HBG” for an unidentified manufacturer, with a silver content number of “800”, measuring 42.53 mm (w) x 42.22 mm (h), weighing 14.8 grams, with some oxidation evident to the core, in overall near extremely fine condition.