Verdienst Kreuz fur Frauen - "Virgin's EK"

[Doug See]

This is one of my all time favorites. Should I clean it with a Brillo pad and Noxon brass polish?

[Rick Research]

Any idea how many of these "women's EKs" were awarded?

The side with the Red Cross looks enamelled, but the other side looks like black paint and chiselled in cypher and lettering.

Could you tell us more about what it is actually made of? I've never handled one, and here we had a recipient right in my home town!

[Doug See]

The cross is 33.4 mm without the ring -- about a 3/4 prinzen size. The center is black glass (enamel?) and the red cross is enamel. The crown, dates, and AW are hand chased silver. The workmanship is fantastic.

The were 2,992 awarded and a complete list of all recipients was maintained (Iron Time, Previtera)

[Gordon Williamson]

Doug,

Don't use Brillo, you get a much better sheen with 200 grade emery paper.

I have one in front of me now. Sadly, not mine. The centre maoves very slightly within the frame, just like some EKs. How about yours.

I agree these are one of the nicest EK related pieces you'll find. Lovely to see one with its case!

Gordon

[JensF.]

How did they find out that the woman was a "virgin"?


It's a very very nice piece and the first one I see (outside of a book).

Best regards

[Doug See]

Gordon,
I'd rather not try to move the center--with my luck, I'd chip the glass.

Do you know if these were officially classified as an iron cross order, or were they a separate award?

[PaulChep]

The "official" name is Verdienst Kreuz fur Frauen und Jungfrauen. It was instituded by Queen Augusta wife of Kaiser Wilhelm I. It is similiar to the EK but not part of the Iron Cross line.

[Eric Stahlhut]

beeauuuutttiifffuuulll!

[stogieman]

Awesome!

Super piece, super condition and OUTSTANDING case. The case you have is not the usual presentation case, it looks like a special presentation piece. When I bought everything cased I could find, this one always eluded me. Congrats on a super item!

[stogieman]

Recipient's list & how many....

Hi guys, Detlev Niemann has a copy of the official recipient's list, there were 3006 awarded. He would be happy to confirm any names that you might have. Please contact him via eMail.