ORIGINAL LUBECK HANSEATIC WAR MERIT CROSS 1914. This lovely and extremely desirable cross is in pristine condition, with no enamel damage to the arms of the cross. Obverse is the double headed eagle with a red and white shield, the town Coat of Arms of Lübeck on the Baltic Coast. On the reverse are the words’Für Verdienst im Kriege’ (For merit in war)1914. Together with a 6 inch piece of correct, replacement ribbon. Of the three Hanseatic cities Hamburg, Bremen and Lübeck, Lübeck was the smallest; with the smallest population of the three cities, which is still true to this day. Unfortunately the town was badly bombed in the 2nd World War and the town Hall along with the town archives relating to this award were burnt. It is estimated that approximately 8,000 to 10,000 of these crosses were issued up until the early 1920′s. Now consider all these factors and the fact that these crosses are extremely fragile, (if you drop them once they are invariably damaged). Then ask yourself, exactly how many of these crosses are still in circulation, and how many in this exceptionally fine condition! At least five times rarer than a Hamburg cross, therefore. At least five times more valuable. This is an extremely RARE and sought after cross! F you do not already have one in your collection then this is the one to get. This would make an extremely good investment. An extremely attractive cross, hard to find in such immaculate condition. The photos speak volumes and what you see is what you get. The Hanseatic Cross (Hanseatenkreuz) was a decoration of the three Hanseatic Cities. Who were member states of the German Empire. During World War I. Each city-state established its own version of the cross, but the design and award criteria were similar for each. The Hanseatic Cross was jointly instituted by agreement of the senates of the three cities, with each senate ratifying the award on different days. The Lübeck version was established first, on August 21, 1915. The Hamburg version followed on September 10 and the Bremen version on September 14. The cross was awarded for merit in war, and could be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel. When awarded for bravery or combat merit, it was the three cities’ equivalent of the Prussian Iron Cross. The Bremen Hanseatic Cross was awarded approximately 20,000 times. There were approximately 50,000 awards of the Hanseatic Cross of Hamburg, the largest Hanseatic city. Lübeck was the smallest of the Hanseatic cities, and its Hanseatic Cross was awarded approximately 8,000 to 10,000 times. The Hanseatic Cross came in only one class, a cross worn from a ribbon on the left chest. The cross was a red-enameled silver cross pattée. Which bore the arms of the relevant city-state on the center medallion. The reverse was identical for all three versions and the center medallion bore the phrase “Für Verdienst im Kriege” (“for merit in war”) and the date “1914″. I hope I have aroused your interest. Now it’s your chance, to own a piece of history. Please note this is a Private Sale. I guarantee my medals are genuine, original and to the best of my knowledge of the period stated. For a varied selection of. TOP QUALITY ORIGINAL GERMAN MEDALS. Prussian Iron cross 1st Class and 2nd Class, Mecklenburg Cross 1914, Lubeck Hanseatic Cross, Bavarian Military merit Order 4th Class, Saxon Anhalt Cross 1914, etc. The item “ORIGINAL GERMAN MEDAL, WW1, LUBECK HANSEATIC CROSS (IRON CROSS) 1914-1918″ is in sale since Friday, March 6, 2020. This item is in the category “Collectables\Militaria\World War I (1914-1918)\Medals/ Ribbons”. The seller is “highlander62geoff” and is located in Norwich, Norfolk. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Issued/ Not-Issued: Issued
- Service: Army
- Era: 1914-1945
- Type: Medals & Ribbons
- Country/ Organization: Germany
- Country/Region of Manufacture: Germany
- Conflict: World War I (1914-1918)