EK I 1914 Prinzengroesse

[Albert]

Hello all,

I have the opportunity to buy a set of WW I medals. Included is an EK I 1914 Prinzengroesse. Obverse is in perfect condition. Reverse is silver marked. Bad thing is, the catch is broken. My question is how rare are 1914 EK 1 in Prinzengroesse, and what is their value - broken catch or not. I need to figure out if the total is acceptable.

Thanks in advance,
Al

[eric]

Ek's in Prinzengroesse are quite rare in any type of class or condition. I suggest you obtain it.
Placing an exact value on your piece is tough to do with the meagre information you have furnished. Pictures say a thousand words!

One thing that DOES bother me a bit is the fact that the obverse is in perfect condition while the catch has been broken off. All of the EKs that I posess or have seen that have a broken catch show a great deal of wear on the obverse.
You should probably take this point into account. The iron core may have been touched up at some time. This can definitely affect the value of the piece.

Welcome to the Forum, by the way!

[Albert]

Eric,

Sorry, no pics. Perfect condition is, of course, relative. I collect EKs, without being a focused EK collector, and have my criteria like most EK collectors. Perfect to me translates to original paint with no damage, nice patina with no cleaning, beautiful detail. Sorry should have been more precise the first time. Both the obverse and reverse are just like on the full size counterpart. There was a 800 proof silver stamp, and a maker's mark, the shield with the helmet on top and something to the sides. A well known stamp but the maker escapes me at the moment. The cross doesn't look like it was worn a lot. In the set there is a HAmburg cross, red enamel with the tower in center, a 1Cl. Fuer Schlesien award, a full size screw back EK 1 1939 (missing the screw), and the "Prinz". The full sized EK I 1939 is the type that has recesses on the reverse. Sorry, my knowledge and focus are on WW II awards. I am interested in this set because of the two EKs. What would be a fair price for that. Oh, there are also the miniatures mounted on a chain.

Thanks,
Al

[eric]

Hi Albert,
I believe that the maker of your Prinzen EK1 cold be Paul Meybauer of Berlin. They mede very nice quality items. Their Prinzen EK's are extremely wll made in my opinion.
I think that I will have to hold off on giving you a price for the group as I am not as up to speed on the market value as some of the other Forum members are. Just wait a bit and I'm sure you'll get a few monetary opinions shortly!
It DOES sound like a very nice group.

Regards, eric

p.s. The screwback EK1 1939 with 'recesses in the back': can you describe it a bit more? From your desciption it sounds like the "pillow-style" 1914 EK1s. I have never heard of a 1939 version!

[Albert]

Eric,

I am very sorry... It's the 1914 "pillow- style", of course. Oh boy, my fingers refuse typing 1914; shows I am on the wrong forum No, I haven't seen or heard of any 1939 couterparts either.

Still hoping for price bench marks. Anybody please... before they are gone.

Thanks,
Al

[Bill M]

--Sounds like the Rothe & Neffe maker mark, no?
--I THINK the second classes are in the $300+ range.
If it's a good 1st class, it is quite rare and much more costly. I would also be curious as to the going rate on the 1st class pieces.

[George Stimson]

Prinzengrosse price

I paid $675 for this 1914 Prinzengrosse EK 1 about three and half years ago:




It's practically mint, front and back. It has no maker's mark or silver content indicator. Also, the center is non-magnetic. (You can see an identical cross on page 137 of Bowen's "The Prussian and German Iron Cross.")

I know it's not exactly like the piece you are describing, but this might give you some idea on price.

George

[Albert]

Hello George,

You are right it is quite different. And thank you for the price guide. Thanks to you and the other posters I will be saving for the grouping hoping it's still available. Once I have it, if I get it that is, I will post pics. Being uncapable to do so I'll need help with that. Any volunteers:-)

Thanks,
Al