An original WWII German Honor Cross of the German Mother in bronze. Some light enamel damage is present to the left arm of the cross and visible in photos. Center roundel is slightly canted. A long length of original ribbon is attached. Displays well.
 
The Cross of Honour of the German Mother (German: Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter), referred to colloquially as the Mutterehrenkreuz (Mother's Cross of Honour) or simply Mutterkreuz (Mother's Cross), was a state decoration conferred by the government of the German Reich to honour 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.
 
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