VINTAGE RARE 1870 PRUSSIAN GERMANY PRINZEN SIZED IRON CROSS 2ND CLASS

SOLD
Rare 'Prinzen' sized 36mm wide silver two piece silver cross pattée, with blackened cross iron core within a hatched border imposed, with moveable eyelet and suspension ring. The ring is unmarked as most examples I have handled over the years. The face with a central ‘W’ (for Wilhelm), the Prussian crown above, the date ‘1870’ below; the reverse with a central oak branch, the crowned cypher ‘FW’ (for Friedrich Wilhelm) above, the date ‘1813’ below; on a correct ribbon. These are exceptionally rare pieces, with some dealers selling these for $2000 USD and upwards, depending on condition. This cross would rate 8.5/10.

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 and awarded for bravery. It was reinstated in 1870-1871 for the Franco-Prussian War and the oak leaf suspension seen in this example was instituted to mark its silver jubilee and made available to holders of the Iron Cross. 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.