WW1 Imperial German Iron Cross 2nd Class Full Size

The WW1 Imperial German Iron Cross 2nd Class Full Size is a military decoration awarded during the First World War by the German Empire. Instituted in 1914, this distinction was granted for acts of bravery or exemplary leadership on the battlefield. The decoration consists of a blackened iron core with a silvered metal frame, measuring approximately 42 mm in width. The obverse features a central “W” cipher for Kaiser Wilhelm II, the German imperial crown above, and the date “1914” below. The reverse typically displays oak leaves and the date “1813,” referencing the medal’s original institution. Recipients wore the Iron Cross 2nd Class suspended from a ribbon featuring black, white, and silver stripes, usually on the left tunic buttonhole. This award holds significant historic relevance, representing valor and service in the Imperial German forces during World War I. The item offered is an example of this original wartime military honor.