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 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 a wide block hinge and banjo-style pinback meeting a round wire catch, stamped with a silver content number of “800”, measuring 42.84 mm (w) x 42.82 mm (h), weighing 15.0 grams, demonstrating evidence of re-finishing to the core, a privately-purchased example in near extremely fine condition.