The Iron Cross (EK 1813)

Average Price:

$500 to $1,000

(The cost varies based on the medal’s historical significance, the recipient’s background, and the condition of the medal)

Time Period: Pre-WW1
Institution: March 1813
Country: Germany (Kingdom of Prussia)

The Iron Cross (or Eisernes Kreuz, EK, in German) is a military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia (and later the German Empire 1871–1918 and Nazi Germany 1933–1945.

It was established by King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia in March 1813 and backdated to the birthday of his late wife Queen Louise on 10 March 1813 during the Napoleonic Wars. Louise was the first person to receive this decoration (posthumous).

The Iron Cross was normally a military decoration only, though there were instances of it being awarded to civilians for performing military functions.

The Iron Cross Design

The design of the cross symbol is black with a white or silver outline, and was ultimately derived from the cross pattée of the Teutonic Order, used by knights on occasions from the 13th century.

It was designed by neoclassical architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel, based on a sketch by Frederick William. This heraldic cross took various forms throughout the order’s history, including a simple Latin cross, a cross potent, cross fleury and occasionally also a cross pattée.

The ribbon for the 1813 EK was black with two thin white bands, the colors of Prussia. The non-combatant version of this award had the same medal, but the black and white colors on the ribbon were reversed.

More Variations of the Iron Cross

The Iron Cross, a prestigious German military decoration, has undergone several variations since its inception. For example, the Iron Cross 1813 was instituted during the Napoleonic Wars by King Frederick William III of Prussia, the Iron Cross 1914 was awarded during World War I, it was reinstated by Kaiser Wilhelm II, and the Iron Cross 1939 was revived by Adolf Hitler for World War II, with modifications including a swastika.