Imperial 1st Class Iron Cross

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German Empire, WWI - Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse 1914. Reinstituted August 5, 1914, by Emperor Wilhelm II, as the third endowment, the 1st Class Iron Cross was awarded to personnel who had previously received the 2nd Class Iron Cross and made significant sacrifice during the war. From March 16, 1915, the Iron Cross could also be awarded to members of the states allied with Germany. It is a multi-piece, die struck construction that has been soldered together. The single piece core is constructed out of an iron metal base that has been black enamel painted. The frame and back plate are constructed out of a nickel-silver base. A final protectant lacquer was applied over the entire award. The obverse features a pattée style cross that has a centrally placed embossed “W” (cypher of King Wilhelm I & II), below the royal crown of Prussia (top arm) and above “1914” (lower arm), which is on a black base and surrounded by a silvered ribbed/beaded row and a flat outlying border. The fullback reverse features a soldered-on round wire catch, soldered-on V-shaped sheet metal hinge and rectangular wire pin. Great patina. It measures 1 5/8 inches wide and tall.