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

(Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939, Museumsstück). Constructed of silver, consisting of a Cross Pattée with a blackened non-magnetic metal alloy 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 and period original length of neck ribbon, the reverse of the twelve o’clock arm stamped with a silver content number of “800”, otherwise unmarked but demonstrating the characteristics of an exhibition example produced by Rudolf Souval, Vienna, measuring 62.32 mm (w) x 70.67 mm (h), weighing 63.4 grams, demonstrating a consisting patina throughout the frame and minor scratching to the core, a fine-quality exhibition example faithfully recreating a grade of the Iron Cross solely awarded to Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring in extremely fine condition.