Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class, Private Purchase Example consisting of a blue enamelled Romanian Cross with clusters of nine gilt rays in eac Machine woven embroidered cotton SS

Machine woven embroidered cotton SS runes on black velvety backing

the eagle clutches in the beaks a gilded chain with the inscription Viribus Unitis (Latin for United Strength)

including a Second World War Wehrmacht trench art cigarette case

one of which is taken in Vancouver in 1948-1949

indicating artillery

Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class, Private Purchase Example consisting of a blue enamelled Romanian Cross with clusters of nine gilt rays in eac Machine woven embroidered cotton SS(Eisernes Kreuz 1914 I. Klasse). Reinstituted 5 August 1914. (1914 1918 issue). Constructed of iron and a silver alloy, consisting of a vaulted Cross Patte with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central initial W, the six oclock arm with a reinstitution date of 1914, the twelve oclock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with a barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, unmarked,