44mm wide iron and nickel silver cross pattée with a magnetic core, with a blackened cross pattée within a hatched border imposed; the face with central cross (swastika), the date ‘1939’ below; plain toned white metal reverse with unmarked vertical pin and curved hook; the cross showing light wear and use and housed in an unmarked black leatherette award case, showing excellent cross impression to upper cream silk interior.

The Iron Cross was instituted on 10 March 1813 by King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia during the War of Liberation against the Napoleonic French forces. It was reinstated in 1870-1871 for the Franco-Prussian War, in 1914 for World War I and again, as in this example, on 1 September 1939, the day of the German invasion of Poland that led to the outbreak of World War II. It was awarded for bravery. In spite of its iconic image and fame, it has always been made of modest materials and issued in relatively large numbers. It was designed by the neo-classical architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel and reflects the cross of the Teutonic Knights in the late Middle Ages which was also the emblem of Frederick the Great.