EK 1914 EK II - A real stumper

[Steve Russell]

I posted this at the WAF but would value the opinions of the larger Imperial audience here.

I bought this cross on eBay and was excited about getting it because from the pics, the crown and letters looked exactly like the late war solid brass pieces. The seller listed it as an 1813 Iron Cross. I thought, well not really, turn it over and there will be the 1914.

The ribbon is perfect and original, the ring is soldered and the quality is good for this type of Brass 'Iron' Cross. And the paint is fairly intact. Here is a pic of the obverse.

[Steve Russell]

What to my confusion when I turned it over and saw this.

[Steve Russell]

You're not seeing double. It is the same cross. It is very well made. The reverse looks (both of them!) looks like many of the other brass examples I have seen. My guess is that since these were made late in the war, it was an unintended double strike? Or what? Here are more pics.

[Steve Russell]

Top detail

[Steve Russell]

Bottom detail

[Steve Russell]

And the side for the last pic.

Measurements are 44mm overall and each arm is 24mm on the edge. Has anyone ever seen one like this? Steve

[Steve Russell]

No comments as to why the double reverses? Thanks, Steve

[Chris Boonzaier]

Hi,

is it a one piece cross? If so there cannot be an unintended striking as both sides of the stamp would be different.

If the core is 2 seperate very thin brass plates back on back (these exist) then it may be someone mixed up the 2 core plates....

[Thomas]

No comments as to why the double reverses? Thanks, Steve

How does someone comment on this, other than I love it! You are lucky to find this.

[buellmeister]

There are two schools of thought on this one. Firstly, It must have either have been made on a Monday or Friday Production. LOL! Or, the cross was a put together in the attempt to deceive as an 1813 for the inexperienced collector. My thought is, looking at the tightness of the frames and the file marks, indicate an honest mistake at the time of production.

Regards,

Joel

Edited February 14, 2007 by buellmeister

[Chris Boonzaier]

BUT... how would a regular die allow you to make this error?

[buellmeister]

Chris,

Indeed. Not sure after you had mentioned it. The mystery continues I guess..

Regards,

Joel

Edited February 14, 2007 by buellmeister

[hunyadi]

I'm gonna lean towards a two piece item - if you look int he background of post #6 it looks like you can clearly see a seam on the 12 o'clock arm. The end shot also has what appears to be a slight seam on the left side. Monday or Friay cross - thats one of the rare cases in the world where you want to own one of those - definitely not a factor that one looks for in a set of wheels or the coffee maker!

Edited February 14, 2007 by hunyadi

[Ralph A]

Relevant:

http://www.byersnc.com/twoheadedandtwotailedcoins.html

[Steve Russell]

Thanks guys. It does appear to have seem indentations on the edge of the arms.

And after looking at the coin website Ralph . If the cross is only worth a fraction of those modern coin prices, well, maybe paying for the kids' college won't be so hard after all. Steve

[joe campbell]

certainly an odd duck!!

if this were TR era, i'd be very skeptical, but

as a product of the WIDE range of imperial

styles/techniques, i very much like this one!

perhaps monday a.m. manufacture is no so far

off the mark...

joe