Original German WWII 2nd Class Silver Mother’s Cross with Named Award Document and Packet Original Items

Original Item: One of a Kind Set. This is a very nice example of The Cross of Honour of the German Mother or Mutterkreuz (Mother’s Cross) in silver (2nd class, Silver Cross: eligible mothers with six or seven children). It is definitely an example that was worn for a significant amount of time, and comes together with the original named besitzzeugnis (award certificate) and packet for the award.

The document indicates that it was awarded to Meta Hasslinger geb. Eggers, and that it was awarded in die zweite Stufe (second class). These were not dated, and were awarded throughout the war. The “geb. Eggers” stands for gebornen (born) Eggers, indicating the maiden name of the mother. The certificate still shows the original NSDAP Raised seal, and shows the usual age toning and light soiling.

The award itself still has some of the original ribbon present, which is stained and faded due to age and use, as well as being in delicate condition. The front of the award still has most of the original enamel, with some lost due to age and bending. Reverse of medal reads 16 December 1938, which is the date that the award was first established, along with AH’s Signature. The silver plating is overall patinated, giving it a great aged look.

The packet correctly indicates that it is for Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter Zweite Stufe (Mother’s Cross Second Class), and that it was made by rare maker J. Magin Nachfolger of München (Munich) in Bavaria. The packet is in great shape, with no tears.

Comes ready to display!

The Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter (Cross of Honour of the German Mother), referred to colloquially as the Mutterehrenkreuz (Mother’s Cross of Honor) or simply Mutterkreuz (Mother’s Cross), was a state decoration conferred by the government of the German Reich to honor a Reichsdeutsche German mother for exceptional merit to the German nation. Eligibility later extended to include Volksdeutsche (ethnic German) mothers from, for example, Austria and Sudetenland, that had earlier been incorporated into the German Reich.

The decoration was conferred from 1939 until 1945 in three classes: bronze, silver, and gold, to Reichsdeutsche mothers who exhibited probity, exemplary motherhood, and who conceived and raised at least four or more children in the role of a parent. A similar practice, that continues to this present day, was already established in France since 1920, by conferring the Médaille de la Famille française (Medal of the French Family), a tribute to the French mother who raised several children in an appropriate way.

In recognition of the substantial importance a woman’s role and motherhood was in support of a strong Germany, the Cross of Honor of the German Mother was introduced by decree in Berlin on 16 December 1938 by Führer und Reichskanzler (leader and chancellor) AH. The preamble of the statutory decree declared:

As a visible sign of gratitude of the German nation to children-rich mothers I establish this Cross of Honor of the German Mother

The crosses were awarded annually on the second Sunday in May (Mothering Sunday or Mother’s Day), but also extended to include other national annual occasions of celebration. So despite its institution in 1938, the first awards were rendered in May 1939.

The Mother’s Cross was composed of three classes, and conferred to mothers in accordance with its statutory legislation: Verordnung des Führers und Reichskanzlers über die Stiftung des Ehrenkreuzes der Deutschen Mutter vom 16. Dezember 1938. Reichsgesetzblatt (RGBI) Teil I, 1938, Nr. 224, Seite 1923 (In English: Statutory Order of the Leader and Chancellor on the establishment of the Cross of Honor of the German Mother of 16 December 1938. Imperial-(Reichs) Law Gazette (RGBl) Part I, 1938, No. 224, Page 1923), and its stringent nomination screening protocol.

Classes
-1st class, Gold Cross: eligible mothers with eight or more children
-2nd class, Silver Cross: eligible mothers with six or seven children
-3rd class, Bronze Cross: eligible mothers with four or five children