Germany, Federal Republic. A 1939 Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, Exhibition Example by Rudolf Souval, c. 1965

(Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, Museumsstück). A rare museum exhibition example of the 1939 Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened magnetic iron core set within a ribbed and gilded 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 with a integral loop connecting to a suspension ring with a period original length of neck ribbon measuring 58 mm (w) x 450 mm (l), the frame stamped on the reverse with a silver content number of “800”, otherwise unmarked but demonstrating the characteristics of a series of high-quality exhibition pieces produced by the Vienna firm of Rudolf Souval, measuring 63.46 mm (w) x 71.88 mm (h) (inclusive of suspension), weighing 42.7 grams, demonstrating minor loss of gilt finish to the frame which complements the piece’s period appearance, in overall near extremely fine condition.