At what point does a prinzengrosse iron cross become a minature, or vice versa? I have a 2nd Class 1870 Iron Cross tha'ts 25 x25 mm, with a correspoinding sized ribbon. Anyone have any thoughts on this matter?
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There are two sizes for prinzengrosse EKs. 3/4 size (roughly 33mm) and 2/3 size (roughly 25-26mm). One person might consider the smaller one a miniature, while another would call it a prinzengrosse. My understanding for a miniature is anything 1/2 size or less. I have a 25mm post 1838 pinback EK1, but I consider it a miniature because it is not three piece construction with an iron core. The same for my 25mm 1870 two piece hollow 1870 EK2 with enamel. To me they are miniatures. Prinzengrosse pieces are normally very high quality since they were intended to be worn on dress occasions. If yours is of very good quality with good detail and is 3 piece with an iron core, you have a prinzengrosse.
Dan Murphy
Last edited by Daniel Murphy; 07-16-2006, 07:40 PM. -
PRINZENGROSSE EK's
Thank you, Danial. Mine is a very nice little piece, three3 piece construction. Some of the paint is worn off, so it has a grey cast to it, but other than that, it's a pretty neat little cross.
Best Regards,
NickComment
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NickOriginally posted by Nicholas Link
Are you able to post a picture of it for us?
MarshallComment
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Prinzengross iron cross
I can, but not in the near future. Most of my off-time these days is spent entertaining my six year old grandson, and my three year old grandaughter.Comment
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I have two lively children of my own Nick - but I confess I am still able to find the 3/8ths of a second it takes to snap a photo somewhere in my day!Originally posted by Nicholas Link
Seriously though - if you get a chance, take a digital photo and if you can't post it on the site yourself, I will happily do it for you via email. I am interested to see what type of 'prinzen' you have there.
regards
MarshallComment
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Hi -
Having collected miniatures for over 25 years, I find this subject of miniatures, et al., to be very interesting; and would like to pass on some information regarding questions raised here.
Permit me to start with a disclaimer by saying that miniatures are unofficial decorations in that they are private purchase and not issued items; hence, as far as I know, there are no standards. So when an individual goes to get a miniature to go with his new decoration, he may have a choice of going to jeweler A, B or C; each of which offers a piece which is different in interpretation, execution and, possibly, size.
Miniatures came into fashion around the time of the Napoleonic Wars. Early on, very small (approximately 10 mm) pieces were relatively common. By the 1870’s they seem to have been more or less standardized around 15.5 - 18 mm for medals, with orders insignia sometimes a bit larger.
Shown below are two examples of Hannoverian Guelph Order insignia which show the discrepancy in size. The horizontal measurement of the cross on the left is 11.4 mm. while that of the one on the right is 16.1 mm.Comment
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Continuing, Dan Murphy raises an interesting issue in post #2 (thanks Dan) that has perplexed me for some time to the point where I had considered starting a thread on it. Specifically, he mentions -“There are two sizes for prinzengrosse EKs. 3/4 size (roughly 33 mm) and 2/3 size (roughly 25-26 mm)”.
Somewhere here we may be touching on yet another class known as reductions. In other words, I’m thinking that the 2/3 size may be the prinzengrosse while the 3/4’s would be reductions. Any thoughts, opinions and specific information on this subject would be most welcome.
Thank you in advance,
Wild CardComment
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Hi, how common is to see a prinzengrosse iron cross in a medal bar?
thanks
CarlosComment
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