German WWII Mother’s Cross in Silver on Chain-This is an interesting mother’s cross. Someone put this on a silver chain, instead of its blue and white original ribbon. The silver on this cross is very toned, and there is slight finish loss. There is a spot of discoloration in the upper left corner. The enamel is excellent. A veteran has brought this cross back as a trophy, and put it on a chain. The veterans family has chosen not to share the name of the veteran with us. This is in good condition.
History: The Mother’s Cross was introduced by Adolf Hitler on December 16, 1938 as part of a large propaganda campaign aimed at increasing the birth rate. The award was officially designated, “Honor Cross of the German Mother”, and was instituted in three grades to recognize and reward childbearing German females.
The three grades consisted of the bronze cross for bearing four or five children, the silver cross for bearing six or seven children and the gold cross for bearing eight or more children.
Criteria for the award included that the parents be of pure German blood, and that the mother was worthy of such an honor. On its introduction the cross had the impressed inscription to reverse, "Das kind adelt die Mutter", (The child ennobles the mother), but this was inexplicably changed sometime in 1939. Bestowal of the cross was accompanied by an award certificate, a cash incentive for each child born and a miniature cross for everyday wear, with the actual cross being reserved for formal or ceremonial occasions. Also, interesting, members of all youth organizations were required to salute wearers of the Mother’s Cross.