New member...first cross purchase and post

[kpaintner]

Hi! I am a new member. I found this sight while looking for information about Iron Crosses. I was offered one and I wanted to research them before I paid good money for a fake. Tell me if I learned anything from reading the posts on this sight! This particular cross came out of a veteran's estate. I paid $225 for it, $75 for a Luftwaffe belt and buckle and $30 for some sort of Nazi flag/banner that this vet brought back. I will post pictures of the belt and buckle in the appropriate forum/thread later. The cross passes the "paper" test and the seam is visable. Condition is really good. Ribbon is a little dirty but not bad. Tell me how I did......






Thanks,
Kevin

[Chet Sowersby]

Kevin,
First off, let me welcome you to the forum. It's a great place to learn just about anything having to do with the world of TR collecting. There are many here willing to help you out if the need arises.

The cross looks good but in the future you will want to use larger pictures when posting.

Lastly, you paid a bit too much for the cross. It's not a personal "dig" on you as you are new to this. However, EK2's are a very common medal to come by unless it is one of the rarer variations.

Good luck and I hope to see you posting more items up in the future.

Chet

[AUSGANG]

Welcome!

Well, you paid too much for the Iron Cross... but wait! Check the loop that the ribbon goes through and look for a number stamped in the metal, that has a lot to do with value. If there is number, post it on this thread, you may still be a winner!

It's a good idea to check the rarity of the number here:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...k+rarity+stats

In the future, get good photos of an item and post them on the appropriate forum, wiser members will help you find out.

Ausgang

[Adrian]

Kevin,
First off, let me welcome you to the forum. It's a great place to learn just about anything having to do with the world of TR collecting. There are many here willing to help you out if the need arises.

The cross looks good but in the future you will want to use larger pictures when posting.

Lastly, you paid a bit too much for the cross. It's not a personal "dig" on you as you are new to this. However, EK2's are a very common medal to come by unless it is one of the rarer variations.

Good luck and I hope to see you posting more items up in the future.

Chet

To echo Chet, welcome to the forum and well done for taking part.
I can't say anything else that hasn't been said, you paid probably twice as much as the cross is worth but depending on the other items it might even out a bit. Bigger pics of the front and back are a must, can you see any number(s) on the ring that the ribbon passes through?
If you're going to continue collecting it really is worth joining and becoming an Association member.

[Anthony N]

Welcome aboard, you've definitely come to the right place!
You need to crop the photo with the software so the photo edges are just a little bigger than the cross. Then post the same size picture filled with the cross. Will make it easier for people to give their opinions.
I hope it's the first of many

[SLIM]

do you really know what you are letting your self in for !! you can never just stop with one bloody ek :-) congrats for starting with a real one as alot of people get burned first time out

slim

[rkhunter]

Welcome to the forum and nice first ek!

[Steinar]

Welcome to THE forum.


do I spot a 65 (K&Q) there... ?

[kpaintner]

Ok...I paid too much...but I have made dumber mistakes. Thanks for all the input. I will try and get better pictures posted.

Kevin

[LuckyLuudje]

Welcome aboard, but please tell me what the PAPER TEST is!

[Dennis GT]

Welcome to the WAF! Sounds like you are off to a good start on TR collecting. Did you post the other items yet? A good scanner works well on metals and badges as too. Glad you found us.

Dennis

[Rylan]

$30 for the Nazi flag may have been a good deal, perhaps post pictures of that in the flag section.

[germanmedals]

No harm done if you payed too much,...it has happened to all of us on the start of collecting. First thing you should get a good catalogue with prices and rest comes with time.Just remember,...there are a lot of things out there for sale so you dont have to rush in the first thing you see. Take your time! It is lot more interesting to investigate a little, than just put out the cash.

[Stu W]

Hello Kevin,

Welcome to WAF. I'm sure you will find the members here most helpful.

One of the best places to determine values and buy items is our own Estand. Make yourself familiar with it and you will soon be adding to your collection with money left over.

Kind regards,
Stu

[Steve Campbell]

If the cross is good, than you are out maybe about 90-100 bucks, depending if it is maker marked or not. However, the marks are only something collectors value. An unmarked cross is the same as a marked one, no difference. A real collector will see the value in the historical object they have. Plus, you never paid too much, you just bought it too early. This is a great forum and the one I spend the most time on. I would also recommend Gentleman's Military Interest Club and German Combat Awards. They both have excellent forums on the Iron Cross. WAF is where I live all the same.