Grand Cross of the Iron Cross 1914

The Grand Cross of the Iron Cross represents the highest level of one of the most significant military decorations in German history. This extraordinary award was instituted on March 10, 1813 by King Frederick William III of Prussia in Breslau during the Wars of Liberation against Napoleon, forming the pinnacle of the Iron Cross hierarchy.

The rarity of this decoration cannot be overstated. Throughout its entire period of existence from 1813 to 1918, the Grand Cross was awarded only 20 times, underscoring its extraordinary exclusivity. During World War I, only five individuals received this highest Prussian war decoration: Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg (December 9, 1916), Kaiser Wilhelm II (December 11, 1916), Field Marshal August von Mackensen (January 9, 1917), Prince Leopold of Bavaria (March 4, 1918), and Field Marshal Erich Ludendorff (March 24, 1918).

The design of the Grand Cross followed the iconic form of the Iron Cross with its characteristic blackened iron core and silver frame. The 1914 version retained the basic aesthetics of the original 1813 foundation, with the year “1914” appearing on the obverse and “1813” on the reverse, along with the initial “W” for Wilhelm II and oak leaves. The Grand Cross was worn on a neck ribbon, unlike the lower classes of the Iron Cross.

The craftsmanship of the Grand Cross required the highest level of goldsmith artistry. The multi-part construction consisted of a blackened iron core set within a solid silver frame. The polished edges of the silver frame created an elegant contrast with the matte black of the iron. The marking of “800” silver beneath the suspension loop attests to the quality of the material used.

Due to the extreme rarity of awarded originals, various reproductions and exhibition pieces were created in the 20th century. Around 1940, during World War II, contemporary pieces were manufactured as exhibition items to document the historical significance of this decoration for museum and collection purposes. These pieces were crafted with the same meticulous attention to detail as the originals and served to preserve the military tradition of the German Reich.

The historical significance of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross 1914 is inseparably connected with the dramatic events of World War I. The awards were made to the highest military leaders who decisively shaped German warfare. Hindenburg and Ludendorff, who as de facto military dictators led the Supreme Army Command, received this decoration in recognition of their strategic leadership. Mackensen, one of the most successful German commanders, was honored for his victories on the Eastern Front.

The institution of the Iron Cross in 1813 by Frederick William III marked a turning point in Prussian order history. Unlike earlier decorations often awarded according to rank and birth, the Iron Cross was intended in principle to be open to all ranks for military merit. The Grand Cross, however, formed an exception, as it remained reserved exclusively for the highest military leadership achievements.

After the end of World War I and the collapse of the Empire in 1918, the tradition of the Iron Cross initially ended. The decoration was re-instituted in 1939 by Adolf Hitler for World War II, with the Grand Cross again forming the highest regular class. Hermann Göring received this version of the Grand Cross as the sole recipient in 1940.

For collectors and military historians, even contemporary manufactures and exhibition pieces of the Grand Cross from 1914 represent significant objects. Awarded originals are almost exclusively in state museums or lost in private hands. The few known examples are of immeasurable historical value and document an era that fundamentally shaped European history. Exhibition pieces from around 1940 offer the unique opportunity to study and preserve the material culture and craftsmanship of this important military decoration.