"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
