German WWII Rare Miniature Mother’s Cross in Gold-This is the small lapel example of the mother’s cross in gold. This is a pretty little pin. The gold finish is mostly intact, and the enamel looks good on three of the arms but be aware that there is a chip to the lower leg of the cross. The reverse of the cross has the facsimile Adolf Hitler signature and the date 16th of December 1938. It is also marked L/11 for the maker Wilhelm Deumer, of Lüdenscheid. The small bow was perfectly tied but does show discoloration from age. The bow has a horizontal pin that functions as intended. Overall, 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. It is interesting that members of all youth organizations were required to salute wearers of the Mother’s Cross.