The Nazi Cross

[John Winter]

The Nazi Mother's Cross

The medal was part of Hitler’s propaganda campaign to increase the birthrate. Read more about this find by Peter McBride of Middlesborough …

The Nazi Cross | John Winter

 

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[CincinnatiKid]

Thanks again John Winter. Most informative.
I recently had the privilege of examining and evaluating a coworkers WW2 coins. All from Europe, most from Germany. I was shocked to realize how far the swastika was forced into daily life...
My coworker awarded, "pick of the lot", for my service. I humbly declined.
Peace ✌

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Desertpile please keep politics out of all forums except our politics forum...

Posted From My $50 Tablet....

 

[flatbutton]

Another good read as usual John

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Here's a couple US tokens. It was a good luck symbol before it was adopted by Hitler.

 

[jamey]

been around for thousands of years

 

[John Winter]

Here's a couple US tokens. It was a good luck symbol before it was adopted by Hitler.

Thanks for your comment, but I think that you may have misinterpreted my post, which is about a detectorist finding an interesting medal ... nothing at all about the swastika.

 

[pong12211]

It's like anything else it's all in how you interpret it. Hitler made it a sign of evil 300 years from now it could be green peaces logo for all we know.

 

[John Winter]

I give up ...

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Thanks for your comment, but I think that you may have misinterpreted my post, which is about a detectorist finding an interesting medal ... nothing at all about the swastika.

Understood - the post after your thread starter introduced the swastika into the thread before I arrived.

Your chum's "Mother's Cross" is an interesting find for sure and one I wouldn't expect to turn up. But they did have a swastica in the center as well.

 

[Metal Illness]

"The Cross of Honor for the German Mother": Three-Tiered Medal for Mothers with Four or More Children (1938)
To increase the birthrate, the Nazi regime ran a non-stop propaganda campaign that glorified starting a family and having children. One manifestation of the Nazi "cult of the mother" was the "Cross of Honor for the German Mother" (also known as the “Mother Cross”), which the NSDAP awarded in Hitler's name to mothers with four or more children. The Mother Cross was first awarded on Mother’s Day in 1939; that year alone about 3 million women qualified for the honor, which was supposed to be awarded only to “genetically fit,” politically reliable, and socially worthy German mothers. The crosses were awarded according to the number of children a woman had: bronze (level three) for four to five children, silver (level two) for six to seven children, and gold (level one) for eight or more children. Award recipients were chosen on the recommendation of either the Nazi party or government officials (the mayor, for example). A number of financial privileges were connected with this honor, including preferential service when shopping. (The receipt of a Mother Cross, however, was not tantamount to permanent recognition. For instance, it could be revoked if a mother ceased to be “worthy”: if she neglected her children, cheated on her husband, or exhibited problematic behavior. ) Additional honors were awarded for other "exceptional birth performances." For example, Hitler himself served as godfather to the tenth child in any family.

I found one of these in South West Ohio. I found this across the street from my house. The house was built in 1908, my house in 1969, it's obviously an older plat with newer homes added along the way. My neighbor let me detect his yard. Over a couple week period I found a Merc. couple war nickels, 40-50 wheaties, some other relics and this, the Honorary Mother's Cross. I had no clue what I had found, and I was pretty sure the word Mutter translated to Mother in english. I googled the words on the front and was amazed at what I had found. The article I will copy and paste tells the story.

I talked to Charlie and his wife, I was going to return it to them if it was passed down to them. They are in their early 80s and have been in their home since 1949. They told me it was not theirs, and they had no family coming from Germany post WWII era. So how this piece of Nazi Propaganda from Germany ended up in SW Ohio remains a mystery.

The back of the cross has the date 16 "Dezember" 1938 and a facsimile of Hitler's autograph. This was the date of inception for this propaganda campaign. The HISTORY uncovered by our hobby is so COOL!

Joseph Goebels was (Hitler's #2 man) and propaganda specialist. His wife was awarded the first Mother's Cross and ironically murdered her 4 children, and then the Goebel's committed suicide when the Russian army decimated and took over Berlin.

Thanks for looking, Bill

 

[John Winter]

That's a super find Bill. Is it a silver one? You have basically repeated the story I told, but with your permission I'd like to add your find and details from the latter part of your post to my blog. Please advise.

 

[Metal Illness]

Sorry John. I didn't click your link because I knew the story on a personal level. A different story (article) from the one I posted listed the history of the demise of the Goebel's. Mine is a Silver Plated version, bummer about the bottom section of enamel/porcilin being broken. Yes John you can use my post if you wish, send me the link to your blog I would be interested in following the conversation on this topic.
Regards, Bill

 

[John Winter]

The link is in the first post, Bill ... but here it is again ... and thank you!
The Nazi Cross | John Winter

BLOG NOW UPDATED

 

[CincinnatiKid]

My apologies, I guess I shouldn't have mentioned swastika.
It was the first thing I automatically thought of after reading Nazi...
Peace ✌

 

[Rodbuster209]

Without reading it my first thought was going to be it is about the Iron Cross that they issued.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

When I collected WW2 German stuff the Mothers Cross was probably my favorite non military medal. I got started in collecting after I bought a box of German insignia, medals and other gear at a yard sale and that cross was in with it all. I always liked the look of it.

 

[CincinnatiKid]

The "Mothers Cross" was indeed military based.
Please show me a "Mothers Cross" awarded in 1946.
Peace ✌

 

[NOLA_Ken]

The "Mothers Cross" was indeed military based.
Please show me a "Mothers Cross" awarded in 1946.
Peace ✌

Actually, no. It falls into the category of political or party medals.

 

[rick67]

I've been detecting around a training camp for the German American Bund from 1930's. Finding a Mothers Cross would be like finding the Holy Grail to me.