{"product_id":"wwii-german-mother-s-cross-medal-mutterkreuz-16-december-1938","title":"WWII German “Mother’s Cross” Medal (Mutterkreuz)-16 December, 1938","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eItem: German Mother’s Cross (Silver Grade)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGerman name: Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInstitution date: December 16, 1938\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCountry: Germany\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEra: \u003ca href=\"chatgpt:\/\/generic-entity?number=0\"\u003eNazi Germany\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDescription\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an original German Mother’s Cross in Silver, a civilian decoration instituted by the German government on December 16, 1938 to recognize mothers who had given birth to and raised multiple children. The decoration was awarded in three classes (Bronze, Silver, and Gold) based on the number of children.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe example shown is the Silver Class, identifiable by its blue enamel cross with silver borders and silver sunburst center.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe medal features:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eForm: Cross pattée design with white and blue enamel arms\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCenter obverse: Black swastika within a circular inscription reading “Der Deutschen Mutter” (“To the German Mother”)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBackground: Radiating silver starburst behind the cross\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReverse inscription:\u003cbr\u003e “16 Dezember 1938”\u003cbr\u003e (the date the decoration was instituted)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSignature: Script “AH” (Adolf Hitler facsimile signature) below the date\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRibbon: Traditional blue and white striped neck ribbon, worn around the neck by recipients.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAward Criteria\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe award was presented to mothers meeting the following criteria:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBronze Cross: 4–5 children\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSilver Cross: 6–7 children\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGold Cross: 8 or more children\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecipients were nominated locally and the awards were typically presented on Mother’s Day.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConstruction\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTypical original examples like this were produced from:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTombac or bronze alloy base metal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEnamel finish on cross arms\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSilver wash or plated center burst\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStamped reverse with engraved lettering\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe aging and patina visible on the reverse of your piece are consistent with original WWII-era examples, especially those that saw wear.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBased on the photos:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRibbon appears original with normal age wear\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEnamel looks largely intact with light edge wear\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReverse shows typical oxidation\/patina from age\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall condition: Good original collectible condition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Whiskey Rebellion Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42776712183885,"sku":null,"price":75.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0610\/9229\/8829\/files\/14B1D4C0-0869-4DB7-A23C-9DFD7CB7EB77.jpg?v=1773342420","url":"https:\/\/whiskeyrebellionantiques.com\/products\/wwii-german-mother-s-cross-medal-mutterkreuz-16-december-1938","provider":"Whiskey Rebellion Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}