Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse (Iron cross 1st class)

The Iron Cross First Class (Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse) was a prestigious military decoration in the Kingdom of Prussia and later the German Empire and Nazi Germany, awarded for repeated acts of bravery or exceptional military achievement in a combat environment. It was a progressive award; a soldier generally had to have already earned the Iron Cross Second Class before being eligible for the First Class. It was given for multiple acts of valor or significant meritorious service. The decoration is a cross pattée with a black iron core and a silver (or silver-plated) frame. The specific design varied by the era it was instituted (e.g., 1870, 1914, 1939), featuring the year of institution on the bottom arm. The World War II version included a swastika in the center. Unlike the Second Class, which was worn suspended from a ribbon, the First Class was a pin-on medal worn centered on the left breast pocket of the uniform tunic. It did not have a ribbon. The Iron Cross was notable because it was awarded without regard to rank, being open to all military personnel from private to general officer, although higher classes were less common among lower ranks.

This item:
In a mint unissued (or at least unworn) condition the beautiful Iron Cross 1939 1st Class in it's original case of issue. The magnetic core retains 100% of it's original factory applied color. This 3 piece construction is gilded with a beautiful layer of silver and the edges are highly polished (hochpolierte seiten). A wonderful and hard to upgrade medal.