GERMAN WW2 IRON CROSS SECOND CLASS WITH RIBBON

This is an original German WWII Iron Cross 2nd Class with it's original ribbon.  This medal has some battle damage on the front as shown in the image.

The basic design of the WW1 2nd Class Iron Cross has the front of the cross bearing the date 1914 under a crowned 'W' monogram.  The back of the cross bears an oak leaf cluster with the date of the decoration’s institution, 1813 underneath and FW the crowned initials of Frederick William are in the top arm above the oak leaf cluster. 

The Iron Cross 2nd Class held a certain level of prestige in the waning days of 1939; in war's past, even this lowest grade had been stringently presented. It was a valued decoration and many recipients have proudly documented the deeds which earned them the right to wear it.