The Iron Cross (first class) was bestowed to members of the provisional government and to other citizens who were wounded in battle and who elected to stay at their post and keep fighting or who returned to the fight, to the maimed and mutilated, as well as to those who displayed acts of courage in combat and eminent services to the country.

[6] A law of 27 May 1857 gave civil servants who were recipients of the Iron Cross ten additional years of seniority.

[7] A budgetary law enacted in 1858 gave pensions to widows and orphans of deceased recipients of the Iron Cross.

Its obverse bore the relief image of the Belgian lion, an heraldic "lion rampant" on a pedestal, but moving from left to right, with banners to the left and right, the relief circular inscription along the medal's upper edge (French: "AUX DEFENSEURS DE LA PATRIE") translating into "TO THE DEFENDERS OF THE COUNTRY".

The award was topped by a pivot mounted crown from which it was suspended to the same ribbon as the cross first class by a ring through a suspension loop.