Germany, Federal Republic. A 1939 Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, Exhibition Example by Rudolf Souval c. 1955

(Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939). Constructed of iron and silver, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central mobile swastika, the six o’clock arm with a reinstitution date of “1939”, the reverse six o’clock arm with an initial institution date of “1813”, the twelve o’clock arm topped by an integral loop retaining a suspension ring, the latter loops with a period original full-length neck ribbon, the reverse of the twelve o’clock arm maker marked with LDO code “L/58” for Rudolf Souval, Vienna, and stamped with a silver content number of “800”, measuring 63.32 mm (w) x 72.95 mm (h), weighing 43.0 grams, a high-quality collector’s exhibition piece produced by a noted manufacturer of wartime awards in extremely fine condition.