WWI IMPERIAL GERMAN IRON CROSS LOT of 9 RING MKD

Lot of 9 EKII or Iron Crosses. All are in excellent condition and several are ring marked, of the ring marked ones, they are as followed 10, M, CO 800, 48 and WH-L. All are three piece construction with magnetic cores. The obverse of the crosses features an embossed central "W" cipher for King Wilhelm II re-institution date "1914" to the bottom arm and a King’s crown to the top arm. The reverse of the cross features an embossed central oak-leaf cluster with the "FW" cipher for King Friedrich Wilhelm III, a King’s crown to the top arm and the original institution date "1813" to the bottom arm. All the emblems are in nice high relief. Excellent On March 10TH 1813, Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III established the Iron Cross as a temporary award for bestowal during times of war. The Iron Cross was introduced in three grades with a Grand Cross intended for award to Senior Commanders for successfully leading troops in combat and the First and Second classes for award to all ranks for bravery or merit in action. The second class medal was for award to personnel who performed a single act of bravery in combat. The Iron Crosses were re-instituted by King Wilhelm I on July 19TH 1870 for award during the Franco-Prussian War and again on August 5TH 1914 by King Wilhelm II for award during WWI.