Thanks for the information Rick. This is what the seller said about the physical traits on the medal! It seems like a plated metal. "this version is the first on issued directly after they switched from the non wearable (the big one) to wearables - because of the writting of KOENIG and the 5 pointed star on the 1 o'clock position - during the period until 1918 these indications changed one or two times (but i'll need a little time for getting the small paper i wrote those infos down). i can not say anything about the material for sure - from the reverse it seems to be silver, but the front doesn't support it - no markings on the rim, and because of this its a spangenst?ck as posted on the wehrmacht-awards-forum thread is sold it (would guess, that the former owner flipped the medal - the head side was worn as reverse and so the silver finish wore off)" I am very excited about receiving this medal!