Iron Cross 1870?

[andya]

Hi
This is another item from a large collection I have recently inherited. You very kind people have been helping me to ID the items and confirm if original or not.
There are alot of Iron Cross medals with the 1914 date and this solitary cross showing the date 1870. Is it possible to let me know if this original and if so,of greater value than the 1914 crosses. I will also be posting the other crosses over a period as I am trying to sort the originals from the copies.
Many thanks
Andy

[andya]

the rear

The rear

[Eagle]

I think it is a sample from 1890 or so, but I think it is even original.

Eagle

[Chip M]

1870 Ekii

Andy,

It looks quite good to me. The 1870 crosses are worth a whole lot more than the 1914 pieces. Don't sell it cheaply!

Regards,
Chip

[Biro]

Hi Andy...

I had the exact same piece with a 1914 bar, which, as a new collector, I cherished for a year, before plucking up the courage to send to Detlev Niemann for authentication.

His verdict?

Er.....I don't own it anymore....returned to dealer, and it has now cropped up on http://www.zeige.com/index2.html

just some input for you...by no means 'gospel'...

Marshall

[Chip M]

1870 Ekii

Biro,

They do have a lot of common attributes.

Chip

[andya]

Hi chip

Thanks to you and marshall for your input. After having studied the two crosses for quite some time, there are a coupl of difference I can see. The main ones being the W on Marshalls appears higher up the cross and further to the left and the wavy beading to the bottom left beading on the second cross. Marshall, do you by chance have a picture of the rear of your old cross.
Any other input would be greatly appreciated as this cross of mine is hovering between the original and the fake piles and needs to know where to live.
Thanks
Andy

[Biro]

Marshall, do you by chance have a picture of the rear of your old cross.Thanks......Andy

Sure thing Andy.....but I'm afraid you wont like it any better

The whole core in my old piece is set slightly higher within the frame than yours (see where the cross on top of the obverse crown sits in relation to the top frame on each of our examples) so the 'W's appear to sit at different levels - and the 'wavy beading' on mine is actually the result of damage...not a 'characteristic'...

Of course, a 'Fake' is not quite as clear-cut with Imperial pieces as with Third Reich, (where generally speaking, a fake is a fake...) and examples of 1870 dated pieces were manufactured as late as the 1930's....

The decision is yours, but personally, I would be giving it a little 'nudge' toward the 'Fake' pile....

Your piece is on the left in both pictures.....and bear in mind there is a huge perspective difference, due to the 'interesting' angles at which your photo's were taken....

JMO

Marshall