This guide will cover only the 1813 Iron Cross 2nd Class.  The Eiserne Kreuz (Iron Cross - often abbreviated EK or IC) was instituted on 10 March 1813 by the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III.  It was awarded for bravery in the field - without regard to rank - during the Befreiungskrieg (War of Liberation also called the Napoleonic Wars).  The Iron Cross was designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, a famous Prussian sculptor and architect.  There are a few (very few) 1813 Iron Cross 2nd Class examples to non-Prussian recipients.  All documented Prussian recipients received at least one other medal - normally the Kriegsdenkmünze für 1813/5.  As a point of trivia:  one woman received this decoration as an infantry combatant.  By the 1830s many recipients began wearing their Crosses with the reverse visible, which was officially sanctioned in 1838.  On 3 August 1841, King Friedrich Wilhelm IV approved a special yearly payment to 36 Iron Cross 2nd Class recipients (selected from Prussian Officers and Sergeants or Corporals) of 50 Thalers per year.   The best figures available indicate that approximately 16,938 Iron Crosses 2nd Class were awarded for the Befreiungskrieg.

Illustration of  Rittmeister v. Bredow-Wagenitz, Brandenburgische Kürassier Regiment wearing the Eiserne Kreuz II. Klasse (awarded for the cavalry action against Marshal Murat on 14 October 1813 leading to the Battle of Leipzig 2 days later with the French Army being defeated).

Illustration of the Regimental Color-Sergeant, 1. Ostpreußische Infantrie Regiment wearing the Eiserne Kreuz II. Klasse (awarded for the heroic stand at Goldberg on 23 August 1813 which diverted the French in their attempt to advance towards Berlin ).

The 1813 Eiserne Kreuz II. Klasse or Iron Cross 2nd Class is approximately 42mm wide by 42mm high (not including the suspension loop), weighing 16 grams, made of blackened iron, and has a silver edge attached with a soldered silver suspension loop through which an iron alloy suspension ring (often replaced by a silver ring) is attached.  It is suspended from a black silk ribbon (about 40mm wide) with 2 white stripes near each edge.   A version of the ribbon with the colors reversed is often called the non-combatant or civilian ribbon.  The obverse was void of any design or lettering, other than the silver frame.  The reverse had the following design within the silver frame (from top to bottom):  the King's crown with FW below followed with a 3 leaf spray of oak leaves and the date 1813 below that.  The Cross was typically worn on the left breast close to the heart.  A Prussian Cabinet Order, dated 4 December 1871, did not specify the wearing of the 1813 Iron Cross 2nd Class but it did specify the wearing of other orders, decorations, and medals which a recipient may have been entitled to. 

(obverse) 1813 Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse (reverse) 

(Illustration example only)

The Iron Cross:  A History, 1813-1957 (Gordon Williamson), Das Eiserne Kreuz: von 1818 bis Heute (Walter A. Schwarz), and The Iron Time:  A History of the Iron Cross (Stephen Thomas Previteria) are three excellent references that should be consulted but there are many other excellent works as well.  A review of most Prussian unit histories typically list the number of 1813 Iron Crosses 2nd Class that were awarded and often provide some biographical information and illustrations.  The German Decorations & Orders Society (BDOS) publishes outstanding detailed information as well.  At least 2 well documented books have been published in Germany which attempts to list recipients.  A new updated roll with biographical information is in the draft stages and should be published in Germany within the next couple of years.

It is interesting to note that almost immediately, jeweler's copies were made for the recipients who had lost or damaged their Iron Crosses or who wanted a better quality.  This confounds the correct identification of the originals since all are contemporary awards.  Many of the jeweler's copies carry hallmarks which aids in identification - but not all - and some of these are not made of iron, making them non-responsive to a magnet test.  If you are adding this to your collection, you will need to be especially careful in your purchase since a verified contemporary Iron Cross 2nd Class may be either the original issue or a jeweler's copy.  Obviously, the ribbon may have been replaced - possibly many times - over the course of time so it's very unusual to find an original ribbon.  The most common forgery is made by erasing one side of a 1914 Iron Cross and then applying a new coating.  Usually the Cross used is damaged to such an extent that it has little value as a WWI decoration and this "recycling" is an attempt to  regain some value.  The original ring is often left attached and rarely replaced with an iron alloy ring.  While this forgery attempt may work on beginners, the workmanship on the original 1813 version is quite different - a comparison will make this difference obvious.  It is best to obtain a Cross through a Napoleonic era Prussian medal specialist with a full guarantee.   In 1993, an original example was sold through a well-known USA auction house (in above average condition) for $492.  In early-2006, an original was for sell at a Hamburg dealer showroom for €1000 and a contemporary jeweler's copy for €650.  Later in 2006, another example (in average condition) was noted with an online UK dealer at £850 while another (verified original with the suspension loop repaired and with the original ribbon) was auctioned online by a Munich auction house at €1300.  In late 2006, a 1914 Iron Cross 2nd Class (suitably altered to the 1813 design) was offered for sell online by a UK dealer without mention of the alteration - it has seemingly been bought and returned to the dealer twice.  In January 2008, a Hamburg, Germany collector is noted as having obtained an example in excellent condition and was accompanied by unspecified documentation and objects related to the recipient.

Copies and forgeries abound.  Most copies (typically cast) are made for collectors or re-enactors who require an example and typically sell for about $10 to $50.  Please review my copy medal guide http://reviews.ebay.com/Worldwide-Military-Medals-Copy-Medal_W0QQugidZ10000000001875117 for a more detailed explanation.  The forgeries  are typically either one of 2 types:  a later type official Iron Cross 2nd Class with the obverse very finely removed and re-coated and the other type is one that has been struck from dies.  The later can be difficult to detect but a trained specialist can make that determination through an analysis of the metal and the silver beading.  Please review my forgery medal guide http://reviews.ebay.com/Worldwide-Military-Medals-Forgery-Medals_W0QQugidZ10000000001875079 for a more detailed explanation.  Both forgery types are often encountered at flea markets or are offered online - usually at a price approaching that of a verified authentic example.  As mentioned earlier, jeweler's copies are known and are generally regarded as suitable collector examples if they are verified contemporary - but many sellers do not make the distinction clear.  Again, the best advice is:  Buy only from a reputable dealer who specializes in Napoleonic era Prussian medals.  Please visit my blog (http://blogs.ebay.com/tsa-li) and/or guides for further information.  Thank you for your visit!