What Is a Deutsches Kreuz in Gold Worth?

Updated: August 2026

Pieces in very good to mint condition, with case, from one of the five recognised wartime makers reach the upper end of the range; used examples without a case sit at the lower end. The cloth version for the Heer (Army) and SS is considerably lower, at around 300 to 490 euros. The rarer silver version — only around 2.500 awards against 26.000 in gold — currently cannot be backed by a solid market price; here a guide price is only possible after viewing the individual piece.

Guide Prices by Version and Condition

All figures are guide prices based on real sale and auction prices from German specialist dealers and auction houses (as of August 2026). Maker, case and documentation make a difference of several hundred euros for the Deutsches Kreuz — send us photos and we'll give you a concrete figure.

Silver is around ten times rarer than Gold, but no solid, publicly visible sale price can currently be verified on the market — the only real evidence known to us sits behind an auction database's paywall, with no visible hammer price shown. If you own a Deutsches Kreuz in Silver, send us photos: after checking maker, version and condition, we'll give you a concrete figure.

What pushes the value up within the Gold version: the original award case, a hallmark from one of the five recognised wartime makers, undamaged enamel on the swastika, and an accompanying award document or documented Nachlass.

Original or Fake?

Because of its high value, the Deutsches Kreuz is a favoured target for fakes. Five features we check for:

1. Maker's hallmark on the pin. Five wartime makers are recognised: Deschler & Sohn Munich = "1", C.E. Juncker Berlin = "2" or unmarked, C.F. Zimmermann Pforzheim = "20", Gebrüder Godet & Co. Berlin = "21" or unmarked, Otto Klein & Co. Hanau = "134". From late 1942/early 1943, Präsidialkanzlei numbers also appear. Source: militaria-kiel.de, retrieved 2026-08-28
2. "Heavy" and "light" are not quality grades, but production variants. The heavy version has a backing plate of bronze or brass with 6 to 10 rivets and a noticeably higher weight (one documented Zimmermann piece weighs 73,8 g). The light version is made of Kupal — copper-plated aluminium — with 4 rivets. Both are original, provided the hallmark and workmanship check out. Source: militaria-kiel.de, retrieved 2026-08-28
3. It is precisely the most common marks that are the most common target for fakes. Known fakes circulate bearing, among others, the "20" (Zimmermann) and "21" (Godet) hallmarks — the presence of a maker's mark alone is therefore no proof of authenticity; it must match the engraving depth, material and workmanship. Source: warrelics.eu, retrieved 2026-08-28
4. Enamel condition of the swastika. Genuinely worn pieces mostly show fine, irregular signs of ageing on the enamel. A flawless high-gloss finish is not automatically a warning sign — unused original pieces in pristine, as-new condition are also documented — but it should fit the overall picture together with the maker's hallmark and the reverse.
5. Post-war production can be distinguished. From 1957, Steinhauer & Lück produced an official version with oak leaves instead of a swastika. Rudolf Souval in Vienna produced private post-war replicas in the original design, recognisable by the characteristic "Souval claw" fastener — neither is 1941–1945 production. Source: militaria-kiel.de, retrieved 2026-08-28

If in doubt, we check the piece from your photos — that costs nothing and commits you to nothing.

Brief Historical Background

The Deutsches Kreuz was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 28 September 1941, in two classes: Gold for repeatedly proven exceptional bravery or outstanding merit in troop leadership, Silver for exceptional merit in the conduct of war. It was intended to close the gap between the Eisernes Kreuz 1st Class and the Ritterkreuz.

Source: de.wikipedia.org, retrieved 2026-08-28

It was awarded around 26.000 times in Gold and around 2.500 times in Silver — the Silver grade is thus a good ten times rarer, which explains its higher, but on the market barely documented, value. The cross was made by five recognised firms, with pieces by Deschler and Zimmermann surviving most commonly.

Source: de.wikipedia.org + militaria-kiel.de, retrieved 2026-08-28

On the legal position, in two sentences: the purchase and sale of original pieces from this period is legal in Germany. What is regulated is the public display of the symbols of unconstitutional organisations (§ 86a StGB) — which is why we treat photographs containing such symbolism discreetly and document pieces exclusively in the private setting of the valuation.

Sell Without Risk

We are a Spanish collectors' house buying throughout Germany. We buy for our own collection — with no dealer mark-up. In concrete terms, this means: we don't have to factor in a resale margin, and we can pay you a collector's price.

Here's how it works:

1. Send photos via WhatsApp to +34 665 164 779 — front, back with maker's hallmark, plus case or document if you have them. Two minutes, no obligation.
2. Free valuation within 24 hours. We tell you whether the piece is original, which maker it's from, and what we'll pay for it.
3. Payment in cash, at the agreed price. For larger collections and Nachlässe, we come and view them in person — anywhere in Germany.

You don't need to send anything in before the price is set, and you don't have to sell if you don't like the offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Is a Deutsches Kreuz in Gold Worth?

As a guide, around 1.850 to 3.645 euros, depending on maker, version (light or heavy) and condition. With a case, in very good to mint condition and from a recognised wartime maker, the value sits at the upper end. The cloth version, at 300 to 490 euros, is considerably cheaper.

Is the Deutsches Kreuz in Silver Worth More Than in Gold?

With around 2.500 awards, Silver was granted considerably more rarely than Gold with around 26.000 — rarity alone argues for a higher value. However, solid current market prices for the Silver version are barely documented publicly. Send us photos and we'll assess your piece individually.

How Do I Tell If My Deutsches Kreuz Is Genuine?

By the maker's hallmark on the pin (one of five recognised wartime makers), by the consistent relationship between version and weight (heavy: bronze/brass, 6–10 rivets; light: Kupal, 4 rivets), and by the overall picture of enamel condition and ageing. It is precisely the most common hallmarks, "20" and "21", that are also the most commonly faked — if in doubt, we check your piece free of charge from photos.

What Is the Difference Between the Heavy and the Light Version?

Not a difference in quality, but a production variant: the heavy version has a backing plate of bronze or brass and is noticeably heavier, while the light version is made of Kupal, a copper-plated aluminium. Both are original and were produced in parallel throughout the war years.

Is Selling a Deutsches Kreuz Legal in Germany?

Yes. The private sale of original historical decorations is legal. Only the public display of the symbolism is restricted (§ 86a StGB) — when selling discreetly to a collectors' house, this makes no difference to you.

Does an Award Document Increase the Value?

Considerably. With a documented Nachlass, award letter or document set, sale prices reach 2.750 to 3.390 euros — noticeably more than the bare cross without papers. Don't separate the cross, case and document before selling.

Sell German Cross in Gold

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