Imperial 1st Class Iron Cross marked 800

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Imperial Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse. The Imperial Iron Cross 1st Class was instituted on August 5, 1914 and was awarded to those who had received the 2nd Class Iron Cross and made significant sacrifice during the war. 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 an 800 silver content base. A final protectant lacquer was applied over the entire award. The obverse a pattée style cross that has a centrally placed embossed “W” (cypher for King Wilhelm 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 full back reverse is marked “800” below the catch and features; a soldered-on wide block hinge, round wire catch and coke bottle pin. It is nicely vaulted yet the seam to the edge has let loose in some areas. The paint looks great. The cross measures 1 5/8 inches wide and tall.