Germany, Federal Republic. A German Cross in Silver, 1957 Version

(Deutsches Kreuz in Silber). Constructed of a silvered and patinated bronze alloy with enamels, consisting of a double-overlaid eight-pointed starburst pattern, with a central silvered disc overlaid by a War Merit Cross with Swords, set within a circular stamped laurel leaf wreath, wrapped in ribbon and joined together at the bottom by a raised date of “1941”, with red enameled rings trimming both the inner and outer edges of the wreath, the reverse with four visible rivets securing the obverse features in place, with a barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a flat wire catch, unmarked, measuring 64.37 mm (w) x 64.46 mm (h), weighing 81.2 grams, in extremely fine condition.