There are more Iron Crosses sold on eBay than were issued to the German Soldiers in WW1. (Not quite but you can see where this is leading).   An autobiography I read by a German soldier remarked 'the only way to avoid receiving the Iron Cross, was to commit suicide'.   This medal was so widely issued (Estimated by some at  (6) Million) that it lost it's prestige.  Unless someone unearthed a warehouse of unissued medals (unlikely) these medals/badges/helmets etc are coming from eastern europe (likely).  There are some really good craftsmen who can churn out these 'museum quality' (what does that mean anyway?) items being sold as original.  Every one, even experienced collectors have been duped by reproduction items and unfortunately, like counterfeiting US $20.00 bills, it is a hazard of doing business.   Usual caveat, if it looks too good to be true, it is probably fake.   Dealers tend to 'flip' these fast as there is a lucrative market out there.

Give me enough ribbon and I will give you an Army of heroes   -   Napoleon Bonaparte