Iron Cross 2nd Class, 1939-45, obv: a black cross patee edged with silver with a swastica in the centre and date '1939' at base of lower limb, rev: the date '1813' at base of lower limb, silver edges, fitted with a loop and ring and an orange ribbon with stripes of white and black at each edge, cross fields showing surface corrosion, silver surrounds toned. Sidenote: The Iron Cross was established by King Friedrich Wilhelm II of Prussia in 1813. All World War II crosses contain a swastika and on the reverse of the 1870, 1914 and 1939 crosses, is inscribed 1813. The Iron Cross is only awarded in wartime.