Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class United Republic of obverse centre in Gold presenting

obverse centre in Gold presenting a superposed enameled red Maltese Cross with ball finials

and perforated with an array of ventilation holes near the forehead

obverse exhibiting a facing-left portrait of the emperor within a diamond engraved figure

SCHIESSPREIS 1901”

over thirty Americans made their way to France before the Germans invaded in May 1940

Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class United Republic of obverse centre in Gold presenting(Eisernes Kreuz 1914 I. Klasse). Reinstituted 5 August 1914 by Kaiser Wilhelm II. (1914 1918 issue). Constructed of iron and silver, consisting of a Cross Patte with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central initial W, the six oclock arm with a reinstitution date of 1914, the twelve oclock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with a block hinge and tapering vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch,