Mother Cross in Silver with Issue Packet

German WWII > Awards and Medals > Political and Civil > Mother's Cross

Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter Zweite Stufe mit der Papiertüte by Petz & Lorenz of Unterreichenbach. Introduced by December 16th 1938, The Honor Cross of the German Mother was awarded to mothers for exceptional merit to the German nation, who conceived and raised four to five (bronze), six to seven (silver) or eight or more (gold) children and exhibited probity, exemplary motherhood. It is a two piece construction, made out of die struck nickel-silver that has been silver washed and includes blue (translucent), black and white enamel work and has been finished in a protective lacquer coating. The obverse is in the form of a Christian cross and depicts; a centrally place static swastika, that is surrounded by “Der Deutschen Mutter” (The German Mother) and is in front of a sunburst pattern. The full back reverse features a recessed: “16. December 1938” and Hitlers facsimile signatures. The enamel work is beautiful, one crack, yet remains 99% intact. If you turn the cross in the light you can see different shades of blue and the gold gilt is beautiful! The cross measures 1 13/16 inches tall by 1 7/16 inches wide. It comes 26 inches of blue and white rayon ribbon that is tied together at the top. It comes housed in its original issue blue paper packet that has been folded and glued together. It reads, in black printed Gothic style ink: “Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter Zweite Stufe” to the obverse and “Petz & Lorenz Metallwarenfabrik Unterreichenbach/Mttbg.” to the reverse surrounded by a rectangular border. The reverse portion has ripped off. It measures 4 1/8 inches wide by 5 1/16 inches tall. A nice set by a desirable maker!