Original medal?

Steinar · 07-10-2007, 08:04 AM

I know very little about german medals, I'm not a collector of such.

Somehow I got the idea to use a medal for display along with a Luger, so I purchased this one (as original..)
But doesn't it look a bit too 'minty' to be about 70 years old??

George Anderson · 07-10-2007, 08:37 AM

It looks fine. The envelope has afforded it good protection over the years.

the gunman · 07-10-2007, 09:20 AM

Steinar its a 100% original war service cross. A very common medal many are found stillin the envelope.

Steinar · 07-10-2007, 09:30 AM

Thanks George and Richard, I was quite sure it was fake.
Since they lost the war, I guess it makes sence that many where still in their emvelopes..

Out of curiosity, I payed $62 for it, was I far off?

George Anderson · 07-10-2007, 11:01 AM

Recently I sold two without swords but with envelopes for $40 each. I imagine that the cross with swords is probably worth more also yours is in mint condition.

Lyn Islaub · 07-10-2007, 07:43 PM

Steinar,
This is a 1939 War Merit Cross with Swords. It is a lesser award than the Iron Cross and typically these were awarded for bravery not in direct connection with combat to both military and civilians. The award came in bronze and silver classes and with and without swords. Bronze without swords being the lowest class and silver with swords being the highest. Some receipients referred to these as "Iron Cross Training" awards. There were somewhere in the neighborhood of 3.3 million of the various classes awarded during the course of the war to civilians, military members and distinguished foreigners. Yours is a nice 2nd Class with Swords variant worth about $60 USD in today's market.
Lyn

Steinar · 07-11-2007, 04:37 AM

Thanks for the new info Lyn, I did not know that..
I guess both the seller and I did ok on this deal.

It would seem as collecting ww2 medals is a minefield of reproductions, so with my limited knowledge, I don't dare to step into it any more than I already have.

07-10-2007, 08:04 AM	#1
Steinar User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,538 Thanks: 18 Thanked 36 Times in 21 Posts	Original medal? I know very little about german medals, I'm not a collector of such. Somehow I got the idea to use a medal for display along with a Luger, so I purchased this one (as original..) But doesn't it look a bit too 'minty' to be about 70 years old?? __________________ Previously known as Morgan Kane

07-10-2007, 09:30 AM	#4
Steinar User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,538 Thanks: 18 Thanked 36 Times in 21 Posts	Thanks George and Richard, I was quite sure it was fake. Since they lost the war, I guess it makes sence that many where still in their emvelopes.. Out of curiosity, I payed $62 for it, was I far off? __________________ Previously known as Morgan Kane

07-11-2007, 04:37 AM	#7
Steinar User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,538 Thanks: 18 Thanked 36 Times in 21 Posts	Thanks for the new info Lyn, I did not know that.. I guess both the seller and I did ok on this deal. It would seem as collecting ww2 medals is a minefield of reproductions, so with my limited knowledge, I don't dare to step into it any more than I already have. __________________ Previously known as Morgan Kane

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07-10-2007, 08:37 AM	#2
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,529 Times in 787 Posts	It looks fine. The envelope has afforded it good protection over the years.

07-10-2007, 09:20 AM	#3
the gunman User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Leland NC 28451 Posts: 1,017 Thanks: 1 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts	Steinar its a 100% original war service cross. A very common medal many are found stillin the envelope.

07-10-2007, 11:01 AM	#5
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,529 Times in 787 Posts	Recently I sold two without swords but with envelopes for $40 each. I imagine that the cross with swords is probably worth more also yours is in mint condition.

07-10-2007, 07:43 PM	#6
Lyn Islaub Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 435 Thanks: 3 Thanked 152 Times in 72 Posts	Steinar, This is a 1939 War Merit Cross with Swords. It is a lesser award than the Iron Cross and typically these were awarded for bravery not in direct connection with combat to both military and civilians. The award came in bronze and silver classes and with and without swords. Bronze without swords being the lowest class and silver with swords being the highest. Some receipients referred to these as "Iron Cross Training" awards. There were somewhere in the neighborhood of 3.3 million of the various classes awarded during the course of the war to civilians, military members and distinguished foreigners. Yours is a nice 2nd Class with Swords variant worth about $60 USD in today's market. Lyn