Description
German Mother’s Cross in Silver – Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter
This is an original German Mother’s Cross in Silver (Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter), a state decoration instituted on 16 December 1938 to recognize German mothers who bore and raised large families in accordance with National Socialist population policy. The Silver grade was awarded to mothers of six or seven children, placing it between the Bronze (four to five children) and Gold (eight or more children) classes.
The cross is of the correct elongated form, featuring a blue enameled cross pattée with white enameled borders. The blue enamel remains intact, retaining its original depth and color with no significant chipping, which is a key condition point for this award. The central medallion and outer frame are finished in silver, showing honest age-related tarnishing and some loss to the silvering, consistent with period manufacture and long-term storage.
The obverse displays the national emblem within the central medallion, while the reverse bears the traditional inscription associated with the award, acknowledging the honor bestowed upon German motherhood. The suspension loop and ring are intact, allowing the cross to hang correctly from its ribbon when displayed.
The Mother’s Cross occupies a unique place in Third Reich award history, as it was one of the few decorations specifically intended for civilian women and was typically presented during ceremonial occasions such as Mother’s Day.
This Silver-grade example presents as an authentic, well-preserved piece with desirable intact enamel and natural patina. It is well suited for collectors of Third Reich civil awards, German medals, or historically focused militaria collections.
