Grand Cross of the Iron Cross 1870

The Grand Cross of the Iron Cross represents the highest grade of one of the most significant military decorations in German history. Established on March 10, 1813, by King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia in Breslau during the Wars of Liberation against Napoleon, the Grand Cross formed the pinnacle of the Iron Cross hierarchy. The award was exclusively bestowed upon supreme military commanders for extraordinary strategic achievements and decisive military victories.

The 1870 version was renewed on the occasion of the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871). The design followed the classical form of the Iron Cross: a black iron core set in a silver frame, with the characteristic splayed arms of the cross pattée. The center of the obverse featured the Prussian crown above the monogram “W” for Wilhelm I, while the reverse bore the foundation date “1813” and the renewal year “1870” with oak leaves.

During the Franco-Prussian War, the Grand Cross was awarded a total of nine times. The first seven awards were made on March 22, 1871, shortly after the victory over France. Recipients included Field Marshal Helmuth Graf von Moltke, the chief strategist of the Prussian army, as well as commanders-in-chief of various armies such as Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia and Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm, the future Emperor Friedrich III. Crown Prince Albert of Saxony and Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II of Mecklenburg-Schwerin were also among the decorated. King Wilhelm I himself received the Grand Cross on June 16, 1871, following his proclamation as German Emperor.

The extreme rarity of this decoration made each specimen a significant historical document. Across all wars from 1813 to 1918, the Grand Cross was awarded only twenty times, underscoring its extraordinary exclusivity. Original awarded pieces are today found exclusively in major museums or were buried with their recipients.

Due to the scarcity of authentic awarded pieces, renowned orders manufacturers produced exhibition and display pieces for presentation purposes even during the decoration's active period. Such specimens were particularly manufactured for anniversaries, such as the 25th anniversary celebration in 1896 of the victory in the Franco-Prussian War. These pieces, not intended for award, served jewelers, orders manufacturers, and military institutions to demonstrate the highest Prussian war decoration.

The firm Albert Werner & Söhne (AWS) in Berlin was among the leading manufacturers of orders and decorations in the German Empire. The company produced both award pieces and high-quality display pieces for commercial and representative purposes. The characteristic workmanship with blackened, bilaterally hollow-embossed iron core and a silver frame with polished edges corresponded to the traditional manufacturing technique of that era.

The construction of the Grand Cross was elaborate: the iron core was separately manufactured and treated by blackening to produce the characteristic deep black surface. The silver frame was precisely crafted and joined with the core. The dimensions of approximately 63 x 58 mm were larger than those of the Iron Cross 1st Class, while the weight of about 27 grams reflected the solid construction. The Grand Cross was worn on a broad ribbon around the neck, in contrast to the Knight's Cross, which hung from a neck loop.

The historical significance of the Grand Cross extends far beyond its material value. It symbolizes the military tradition of Prussia and later the German Reich, the unification of Germany under Prussian leadership, and the military successes that led to the founding of the Empire in 1871. Each award marked a turning point in German military history and honored men whose strategic decisions influenced the course of European history.

For collectors and military historians, authentic specimens from this period, even display pieces, represent important objects of study. They document the artisanal craft of orders production in the 19th century, the iconographic elements of Prussian military tradition, and the material culture of award systems. Since original awarded pieces are virtually unavailable, contemporary exhibition pieces offer the only opportunity to represent this highest Prussian war decoration in collections.