Grand Cross

[Dietrich Maerz]

I think that every number is a speculation. But given the practice that some recipients had a second piece and some lost a piece and that some were in the supply chain and that the PKZ had to somehow cover that (and the actual anticipated awards) maybe 15 - 20.000 all in all. BUT that does not mean that that many are still around and it also might be wrong. The only thing that can be said with certainty is that more than 7300 were made.

The Zimmermann Grand Cross? The same as the one above (if genuine), pre-45 but not official. But there's no proof either way - contrary to the Juncker piece. There is proof.

[Paratrooper]

maybe 15 - 20.000 all in all.

Hi,

that is the number of items which I also as realistic estimation regards.

The Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes is not is a rare award.
The RK has the high value because it is an award which is singular.

There are many awards which are much more rarer. For example the U-Boot Frontspange in silver (U-Boot Combat Clasp) was only awarded 196 times but not many collectors are interestet in this award.

I don't want to say that the Ritterkreuz is overestimated.

I only want to declare that the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes isn't rare but not underestimated.

In a short sentence: It's THE symbol for bravery-worldwide!

Regards
Andreas

[Darrell]

I only want to declare that the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes isn't rare but not underestimated.

In a short sentence: It's THE symbol for bravery-worldwide!

Regards
Andreas

I'm not sure I agree with that statement. Althought the RK was not given out for having your boots polished, the Victoria Cross would be an award I'd regard as rarer AND just as, if not more prestigious "world-wide". After all only 1,351 (plus 3 bars) have ever been awarded ... plus I doubt there were many "extras" crunched out like the RK.

The value of these FAR outweigh an RK ... even highly attributed RK's at that. Try and get even a single original VC for less than $80-$100 k

[Ludwig]

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Looks like a Rudolf Souval postwar to me.

According to Dr. klietmann hundreds of Grand crosses were produced during the war. For shopwindows, museums etc.

Dipping ring is correct!

[Edgar Estrada]

Please, could you tell me how much (more or less), could be the price of a Grand Cross?

Regards

Edgar

[George Stimson]

Here's a Souval Grand Cross, supposedly from wartime.
(Bill Stump Collection)

[George Stimson]

Reverse.

[Wotan]

About "Grand crosses for shop windows". What kind of shops do you mean?
Medal shops for private issues of awarded medals? Does the LDO-Members had shop windows??? Would be nice to know! Somes photos of that kind of shops out there?

[FrankS]

.

[Dietrich Maerz]

.

[mmiller]

Dietrich,

That 'window dressing' and display boards bring tears to my eyes! Especially the P/O and Condor legion tank badge!




Mark

[Dietrich Maerz]

I hear you...

[Dietrich Maerz]

That's not too bad, either!

[Stephen Stout]

Reminds me how you can purchase real medals privately right now (American). All but the Medal of Honor.

[Pieter Verbruggen]

I meant RK's. So how many(RK's) do you think were made, just curious? Also, what about the Zimmermann Grand Crosses that Detlev had?

Zimmermann produced the Grand Cross as prototypes, probably other firms have made them too. C.E.Juncker was the only official approved Grand Cross maker to my opinion.

The official Grand Crosses where MM 800 L/12 on the cross and came in a large red presentation case ( to my knowledge only 3 of susch cased crosses are known in collections) the shop -window versions came in a blue case with the cross only MM 800.

It was the intention to give all the fieldmarshalls the Grand Cross after the final victory,...it never came this far, so the Reichsmarschall stayed the only recipient of the Grand Cross.

A few of these red cased Grand Crosses where found and "liberated" by the GI's at the end of the war....at Schloss Klessheim!
Needless to mention these are of great historical importance and of course extremely rare.

Past MAX, Jason Burmeister of Ohio displayed one of these Klessheim crosses, with a part of the inner velvet of such a red presentation case.
Visit his table on this years MAX, it will probably be on display again. I will be there too and everybody is more than welcome to have a look at it, and we will assist you if you have further questions on this piece.
Pieter.