Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class, Privately-Purchased Example Province of China set within gilt laurel branches

set within gilt laurel branches carrying ten small round-cut synthetic “diamonds”

The Yangtze is China's longest river

the reverse bearing a raised inscription of “WINTERSCHLACHT IM OSTEN 1941/42” (“WINTER BATTLE IN THE EAST 1941/42”) above a crossed sword and laurel branch

in bronze gilt with red and orange enamels

The blade easily grades extremely fine or better

Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross I Class, Privately-Purchased Example Province of China set within gilt laurel branches(Eisernes Kreuz 1914 I. Klasse). Reinstituted 5 August 1914 by Kaiser Wilhelm II. (1914 1918 issue). Constructed of iron and silver, consisting of a vaulted Cross Patte with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central initial W, the six oclock arm with a reinstitution date of 1914, the twelve oclock arm with a royal crown, the reverse with a barrel hinge affixed to an elongated mount and tapering vertical