Prussia, State. An Iron Cross 1813 Second Class

(Eisernes Kreuz 1813 II. Klasse). A cross pattée of multi-piece construction with a blackened iron core (magnetic) within a ribbed border, on loop for suspension; with its period original ribbon, the obverse with a raised central oak-leaf branch consisting of three oak leaves, with the original institution date “1813” in raised numbers on the lower arm, a raised Prussian crown on the upper arm, with “FW” in equally raised lettering directly below; the reverse completely plain, measuring 42.08 mm (w) x 42.33 mm (h); the core on one of the arms broken off, in overall fair condition. Footnote: The iron cores of many 1813 crosses were obtained from Wells, England, and were often very brittle, indicating that examples such as that above were of early manufacture.