WWII German Mother’s Cross in Silver 1938 – Original Mutterkreuz Medal

Description

The WWII German Mother’s Cross in Silver, officially known in German as the Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter in Silber, is one of the most recognizable civilian awards issued during the Third Reich period. This original example features the classic blue and white enamel cross design, central black emblem, surrounding inscription “Der Deutschen Mutter”, and the reverse inscription “16 Dezember 1938” with the facsimile signature of Adolf Hitler. The medal is accompanied by its blue and white ribbon, making it a complete and highly displayable historical piece.

The Mother’s Cross was instituted on 16 December 1938 as a civil decoration connected to the social and demographic policies of the period. It was awarded in three classes: bronze, silver, and gold. The silver class, represented by this example, was awarded to mothers of six or seven children. Because of this, the WWII German Mother’s Cross in Silver occupies a specific position between the bronze and gold grades and is especially appreciated by collectors who focus on civil decorations, German home-front awards, women’s history, social policy, and Second World War-era material culture.

This example shows the typical form of the Mutterkreuz in Silber: a cross with blue enamel panels, white enamel borders, a silver-toned central panels, white enamel borders, a silver-toned central ring bearing the wording “Der Deutschen Mutter”, and a reverse marked with the foundation date. The reverse inscription and facsimile signature are important details, as they help identify the award type and period model. The ribbon is present and displays the expected blue and light-colored stripe pattern associated with this award.

From a collector’s point of view, condition is especially important with these medals. Enamel damage, missing ribbons, heavy oxidation, or loss of detail can affect desirability. This piece presents as an attractive period example with visible enamel, age-related patina, and signs of handling consistent with a historic object of this age. The presence of the ribbon adds interest and makes the item suitable for display in a medal collection, document grouping, or historical study cabinet.

The WWII German Mother’s Cross in Silver is not a military combat decoration, but rather a civilian award. This makes it particularly interesting because it reflects the broader social structure of Germany during the 1930s and 1940s. Unlike battlefield awards, the Mother’s Cross relates to state ideology, family policy, and the role assigned to women under the regime. For historians and collectors, this gives the medal a wider documentary value beyond its visual appearance.

This item is offered strictly as a historical collectible. It is suitable for serious collectors, researchers, museums, archives, and students of twentieth-century history. It is not offered for political purposes, nor does its sale imply approval, promotion, or glorification of any ideology, regime, or symbol connected to the period. Its value lies in its historical context, originality, and relevance as a surviving object from the Second World War era.

A well-preserved WWII German Mother’s Cross in Silver with ribbon remains a desirable and accessible piece within the field of German civil awards. This example would make a strong addition to any collection focused on Third Reich-era medals, women’s civil awards, home-front history, or original WWII German militaria and historical documentation.