World War Medals

Original German Hamburg Hanseatic Cross. WW1, PERFECT CONDITION, VERY LONG. GENUINE RIBBON, A REALLY NICE EXAMPLE WITH INTACT ENAMEL, NOT EASY TO FIND. HISTORY OF THE AWARDS. The Hanseatic Cross (Hanseatenkreuz) was a decoration of the three Hanseatic Cities of Bremen, Hamburg and Lübeck, 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 (governments) 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 roll for the Lübeck Hanseatic Cross have been transcribed by an international team of phaleristic researchers from Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. 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″. The item “8398 German WW1 Hamburg Hanseatic Cross medal Hanseatenkreuz enamelled” is in sale since Thursday, May 23, 2019. This item is in the category “Collectables\Militaria\World War I (1914-1918)\Medals/ Ribbons”. The seller is “a..anderson” and is located in Abbots Langley. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Country/ Organization: Germany
• Type: Medals & Ribbons
• Conflict: World War I (1914-1918)
• Era: 1914-1945