{"product_id":"german-ww1-iron-cross-second-class-copy","title":"German WW1 Iron Cross | Second Class","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistory of the Artifact\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Iron Cross Second Class was a widely awarded German military decoration issued for acts of bravery and meritorious service during World War I. The medal takes the form of a cross pattée with a black iron core, typically bearing the crowned cipher of Kaiser Wilhelm II on the upper arm, an oak leaf cluster in the center, and the date 1914 on the lower arm, marking the year the award was reinstated for the war. Unlike the First Class version, this decoration was suspended from a ribbon and worn through the buttonhole of the uniform tunic, making it visually distinct while still clearly part of the same award system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe decoration was awarded in very large numbers throughout the war and served as the foundational level of the Iron Cross system, since soldiers generally had to receive the Second Class before becoming eligible for the First Class. It could be awarded to soldiers of any rank, reinforcing the idea that bravery and service, rather than social class, were being recognized. The Iron Cross had deep roots in Prussian and later German military tradition, and during the First World War the Second Class became one of the most recognizable symbols of German military service and wartime recognition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow do I know these are original Iron Crosses?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAncient Artifacts guarantees the Authenticity of items sold through a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003ethree layer system of protection\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eAncient Artifacts exclusively sources artifacts from \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003etrusted and reputable antique distributors\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, many of whom have been selling Artifacts for decades.  \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eNext, the Artifact is inspected by an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eexpert\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eteam member, who is professionally trained in counterfeit detection\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e After the artifact passes inspection, the Certificate of Authenticity is signed and the Artifact is packaged. \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFinally, Ancient Artifacts gives an\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eadditional layer of protection\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e by promising a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003efull refund with no questions asked\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, in the extremely unlikely event that a counterfeit slips through our vetting process.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat will my artifact look like?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYour medal will look very similar to the ones shown in the photos. There will always be some variety, given our items are unique historical pieces. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe display case included is openable so that you may easily handle and closely observe the artifact.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eIf for whatever reason you get anything that does not fit this description you are entitled to your money back! \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eYour order will include:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne authentic German WW1 Iron Cross\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eElegant protective case for preservation and display of your artifact \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCertificate of Authenticity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eAncient Artifacts relics are guaranteed authentic and have a 100% money back policy. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ancient-artifacts-store.myshopify.com\/pages\/the-ancient-artifacts-mission-promise\"\u003eRead more about our Mission and Promise for authenticity.\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ancient Artifacts Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51514661175512,"sku":"ic_11","price":235.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0611\/3987\/8104\/files\/ic_11_main.png?v=1774734031","url":"https:\/\/ancientartifacts.com\/products\/german-ww1-iron-cross-second-class-copy","provider":"Ancient Artifacts Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}