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

(Deutsches Kreuz in Gold). Constructed of silvered and gilded bronze with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a double-overlaid sunburst pattern with eight points, the obverse with a central Iron Cross-style applique, within a stamped gilded circular wreath stamped with oak leaves, ribbons, and the introduction year 1941, the inner and outer sides of the wreath feature thin red enameled rings with a silver core in the middle, the reverse with four rivets holding obverse features in place visible, with a barrel hinge and narrow banjo-style pinback meeting a flat wire catch, unmarked, measuring 63.82 mm (w) x 63.58 mm (h), weighing 61.5 grams, in near extremely fine condition.

Footnote: In 1957 Federal Republic of Germany authorized the wear of denazified Second War awards and decorations as those with swastikas were banned (and still are today) for wear or display. The 1957 model of the German Cross in Gold features an Iron Cross with an oak leaf cluster in place of the swastika similar to the 1813, 1870, and 1914 which could be worn by Second War Iron Cross recipients. Production of these awards was halted in 1986.