In one of his books, Stephen Olford tells about a Prussian king who was being beseiged by a stronger enemy. As the confrontation proceeded the Prussian king found the country’s treasury inadequate to maintain a strong defense.
After careful reflection he decided to approach the women of Prussia and ask them to bring their gold and silver jewelry to be melted down and made into money for their country. He resolved, moreover, that for each gold or silver ornament contributed he would give in exchange a bronze or iron decoration as a token of his gratitude. Each decoration would bear the inscription, “I gave gold for iron, 1813.”
The response was overwhelming. And what was ever more important was that these women prized their gifts from the king more highly than their former possessions. The reason, of course, is clear. The decorations were proof that they had sacrificed for their king. Indeed, it is a matter of history that it became unfashionable for women to wear jewelry. So the Order of the Iron Cross was established. Members of this order wore no ornaments, save a cross of iron for all to see.
Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, The Grace of Giving, by Author Unknown