Medal - In Eiserner Zeit

(en) In 1813, Princess Marianna Pruska appealed to all Prussian women with an exchange of golden jewelry with an iron brooch with the inscription "Gold I gave for iron". In this way, she supported Rudolph Werkmeister's appeal published in Berlin on March 31, 1813. This request was fulfilled in many cases. Iron jewelry became the fashion of all patriots that used it to show their contribution to supporting liberation wars.
The appeal was repeated during World War I. Wedding rings, brooches and jewelry rings were handed to citizens willing to convey donations. Some of them were decorated with an iron cross. Despite (or just because of) voluntary, the action caused significant social pressure. Social control was simple: whoever wore iron decorations, turned out to be a patriot, who still showed gold, lost the reputation. The appeal also concerned the assets of associations, parishes and government agencies.
From 1916, Reichsbank awarded the medal of those who gave jewelry or exchanged gold for paper money.
Precious metals, such as gold and silver, were important raw materials for war and currency. Medals designed by Hermann Hosaus were published in many variants. They are made of blackened iron, they weigh from 16.4 to 20.4 GI have a diameter of 39 to 41 mm.