Iron Cross (rivets in gold)

Prussian Symbol, 35 x 35 mm, 925 old silver

The Iron Cross (EK) was originally a Prussian, later German military award, the first time by the Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm III. was founded on 10 March 1813th In shape and appearance of the Order, the following was consciously sought to the Balkenkreuz the Teutonic Knights - a black Tatzenkreuz with the typical, widening beam ends in a white coat, as carried him the German knights since the 14th century. The original form of this cross comes from ancient Egypt and was adopted by the Coptic Christians. They are found today in the Coptic crosses in Ethiopia. The design was by Friedrich Wilhelm III. itself, the final execution took Karl Friedrich Schinkel ago. The Berlin district of Kreuzberg from 1821 by Schinkel designed and maintained in this form monument takes its name. the orders were made by the Royal Prussian iron foundry. Although the Birthday Queen Luise (March 10) expressly provides backdated foundation charter of 1813, the unique and exclusive ceremony for the liberation war, it was re-founded again in later wars. The "Silesian privileged Zeitung" (Silesian newspaper) from March 20, 1813 prints the lyrically comprehensive "instrument of the foundation of the Iron Cross" from (dated March 10, 1813, signer is Friedrich Wilhelm). In contrast to many other conventional military orders the era was deliberately omitted the Iron cross on valuable materials.