UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories The Honor Ring Forum The Gold For Iron Ring.

In the 19th & 20th centuries it seems like the US and Germany were 'in to it' for one reason or another.. Mainly WW1 & WWII.

It was in 1813 with Germany/Prussia warring with Napolitan there was a donation campaign ,,,,Gold For Iron.!! " I gave my gold for iron" ,,a donation, patriotism campaign. - * Anyway with my history not so good I bring us a little closer to the things we like to collect.. -So I disavow anything I'm writing about history here and sticking with the ring!-

WW1,, the very early , start, 1914.. At that time we were friendly with Germany. We had tons of German immigrants here for years so it was a natural.

The Gold for iron campaign was just that. people donating wedding bands, jewelry, anything made of gold and you got a Iron trinket showing you donated and hopefully getting something back in the aftermath.. There were many trinkets you could get. watch fobs,,medallions, bracelets, and of course rings..
- SO,, let me get to photos because thats what I like to do!!

* Here it is,,the original GFI ring. Made in the good ole' USA!! Thats right,,the USA.

Now believe it or not they actually reproduce this thing!! Made of Zinc,,or a plated brass... The real one, the authentic was actually real Iron..

No real finish on it . Maybe a touch of black in the iron cross. Adorned with slogan something like 'helping the fatherland with gold for iron donation.. There is also some letters under the cross. I don't know what they are,,maybe the designer [?]... Also has 1914 and D.H.G. on the band ,,,,I also don't know what the DHG stands for .. There is also a N.Y there. New York? .. Not sure on that because the box says Jersey City. Also inside band is Pat. [for patent] Nov.24 1914..................

Here is the inner band and one from my collection that was new in box. being over 100 years old it looks a bit rough but its the box for the ring..


IF I messed up anywhere bad here Please someone help and correct my with my history and whatever else is funky.. Otherwise,,enjoy the ring, box etc.

Remember,,originals are really iron,,the band edges are sharp and I've heard they only came in 3 sizes..... So enjoy...

I was looking on "Eban", the popular auction site in October and one was for sale then with a band that was modified to enlarge the size.


Another one sold for $89.99 on Nov. 9, 2023

Item description from the seller:

"Original 1914 DHG German Iron Cross ring with the slogan I Gave Gold For Iron......by the Deutschland Historical Group in New York City for people sympathetic to the German cause in WW1. Approx size 9 - 9 1/2 on my ring sizer. Has 1914 patent date inside. Metal content is unknown. Condition is as photographed with some wear as to be expected from age and use such as small scuffs, dings, light scratches, dirt, dust, etc etc etc...... It is offered AS-IS and that means no returns for any reason whatsoever".

C.W.-20609
Enlarged? dam they must have used a welder!


Yes they are really inexpensive considering they are over 100 years old!
Well thanks much you helped with one of the mysteries.. The DHG on the band = Deutschland Historical Group.. And that the group is in NYC which explains the NYC under the DHG...

Now IF we knew the letters HVL under the iron cross [maybe artist] we have all the mysteries solved!

Thanks much!

See New York Times: 1914/10/18.


New York Times

THE IRON RING IS WORN BY 10,000 NEW YORKERS OF GERMAN BLOOD; For the Sake of the Fatherland These People Are Giving Their Gold and Other Valuables in Exchange for …

WOW, 10K! , thats a lot of gold collected! and thats just NY!.. I'm sure the ring was available elsewhere... So 1000s were made...

They used to be everywhere but the last few years disappearing ... For the ring collector even if you usual just collect WWII this is s ring you should have.. Seems to have a good history and over 100 years old! IF you see one now for a good price grab one..

Remember ,,they did reproduce them but not of iron. . Make sure the one your going to get it really iron [simple magnet will let you know]... Must have been some heavy machinery that produced them..

I wouldn't doubt there is a advertisement and/or photo of them out there....

- * Thanks again C.W. -

There is much out there on this ring when you do a search:

This is a German Iron Cross Ring dated Nov. 24, 1914 on the inside, scribed 1914 on one side and DHG (German Historical Group) on the other. The DHG or German Historical Group gave out during 1914 for the relief of Germany. It was given to people who donated their gold or silver to the country. The writing on the outside says: "Dem Alten Vaterland Die Treue zu beweisen Gab Ich in schwerer Zeit Ihm Gold fur dieses Eisen." Translated into English, this phrase means "For the old fatherland Loyalty to Show Gave I in difficult time To him gold for this iron."’

G., an interesting elaborated ring. With this text on the ring, I’ve never seen before.

CW., that is really interesting info.

I've a variation of the iron ring, with inside text : “ Metall-Sammlung, Collecting Metal, 1914-15 ” issued in Germany.
This type of iron ring also exists without any text .
I’ve added 1 pic; the ring with magnet.

Benten , thanks for the photos. Cool shot with the magnet... I've heard there was more than one pattern.. Maybe even a woman's version!

They can be painful to wear. Even if your lucky and one of their sizes happens to be your finger size the edges of every one I've seen have been pretty dam sharp!!

OK, so please members post 'em if you got 'em!! .... You might have one and not even know it.. So if you have a WW1 ride box pass a magnet over the rings and see if you score a hit! Or anyone seeing any other period information or the actual rings ,,,come on and get them up here................,

Thanks Gaspare.

For comparison my 2 iron rings ; fronts are identical, inside one with text : ”Metalsammlung 1914-15”, the other without inside text.
To show that both rings are made of iron, I placed them on a little very strong magnet…During placing them, for the picture, they already moved a bit due to the magnetism. This is the closest possible distance before they crash together, see pic 4