What Is a Kriegsverdienstkreuz Worth?

Updated: August 2026

An original Kriegsverdienstkreuz (War Merit Cross) 2nd Class is worth, as a guide price, around 18 to 40 euros today, a Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1st Class around 115 to 295 euros — depending on the version (with or without swords), maker, condition and accessories. A particularly well-preserved 1st Class example with swords in its original case was auctioned for 320 euros in 2022. The "with swords" version is not automatically worth more than "without swords" — for this cross, condition, case and maker weigh more heavily than the question of swords or no swords.

Guide Prices by Version and Condition

Guide prices based on real sale and asking prices from German specialist dealers, plus one auction result (as of August 2026). The actual price depends on the individual piece — send us photos and we'll give you a concrete figure.

What pushes the value up: the original case with the maker's stamp inside the lid (such as "Deschler & Sohn München"), undamaged, complete silvering or bronzing, and a traceable link to a Nachlass (estate). The 2nd Class is a mass-produced item — here it is above all flawless condition that pays off, not the swords version.

Original or Fake?

The Kriegsverdienstkreuz was awarded in very high numbers, is correspondingly common, and is faked less often than high-value decorations. Still, a careful check is worthwhile — especially for the more expensive 1st Class. Four features we look for:

1. Eight-pointed cross with a raised, smooth edge. The genuine shape is eight-pointed, with smooth, raised edges and a pebbled texture on the inner arms. The 2nd Class is made of bronzed base metal, the 1st Class is silvered. Source: ehrenzeichen-orden.de, retrieved 2026-08-28
2. A struck, not applied, central medallion. At the centre sits a round, 15 mm medallion with a swastika above an oak-leaf wreath (obverse) and "– 1939 –" above an oak-leaf wreath (reverse) — both struck with visible relief. A flat, applied or blurred medallion argues against an original. On the "with swords" version, two crossed swords run through the centre. Source: ehrenzeichen-orden.de, retrieved 2026-08-28
3. Maker's mark on the ring. Common numbers: "65" for Klein & Quenzer (Oberstein), "84" for Carl Poellath (Schrobenhausen), "4" for Steinhauer & Lück (Lüdenscheid), "11" for Großmann & Co. (Vienna). The loop carrying the mark sits on the top arm of the cross and is soldered on, not glued. Originals without a mark also exist — its absence alone is not proof of a fake. Source: sammler.com (Herstellerkennzeichen-Liste, bestätigt 65=Klein & Quenzer, 84=Carl Poellath, 4=Steinhauer & Lück, 11=Großmann & Co.), retrieved 2026-08-28
4. Case with the maker's stamp inside the lid. An original case carries the maker's name inside the lid (such as "Deschler & Sohn München"), lined with velvet and silk. The combination of cross and matching case is worth considerably more than the loose cross — don't separate the two before selling. Source: militaria-berlin.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 Kriegsverdienstkreuz was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 18 October 1939 to recognise wartime merit that did not meet the threshold for the Eisernes Kreuz (Iron Cross) — it replaced both the non-combatant Iron Cross of 1914 and several regional civilian decorations. It was awarded in three grades (2nd Class in bronze, 1st Class in silver, Ritterkreuz in larger silver), each with or without swords — the swords marked an award made under direct enemy action, while the version without swords stood for merit on the home front.

The documented award figures (Army and Waffen-SS only) show the scale: around 2,7 million 2nd Class crosses, around 140.000 of the 1st Class, but only 230 Ritterkreuze and a mere 2 Golden Ritterkreuze. Women were excluded from this decoration — from August 1940 they had the separate Kriegsverdienstmedaille instead.

For valuation today, that means: the 2nd Class is a mass-produced historical item found in practically every larger Wehrmacht-era Nachlass, while the 1st Class is already noticeably rarer and correspondingly more sought after. A note on the legal position: buying and selling original pieces from this period is legal in Germany. What is regulated is the public display of symbols of unconstitutional organisations (§ 86a StGB). We therefore handle photos showing such symbolism discreetly and document pieces only in a private context.

Sell Without Risk

Antique Militaria is a Spanish collectors' house buying throughout Germany. We buy for our own collection — with no dealer mark-up. Because we don't price for resale, the margin that a middleman would otherwise take stays with you.

Here's how it works:

1. Send photos via WhatsApp to +34 665 164 779 — front, back, the ring with the maker's mark, plus the case if you have one. Two minutes, no obligation.
2. Free valuation within 24 hours. We'll tell you whether the piece is original, which class and version it is, 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

What Is a Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2nd Class Worth?

As a guide price, 18 to 40 euros without swords and 20 to 22 euros with swords, depending on condition and maker. It is by far the most common version — around 2,7 million were awarded in the Army and Waffen-SS alone.

Is a Kriegsverdienstkreuz with Swords Worth More Than One Without?

Not necessarily. For this cross, condition, case and maker often count for more than whether it has swords — a very well-preserved piece without swords in its original case can be worth more than a worn one with swords and no accessories.

What Is a Kriegsverdienstkreuz 1st Class Worth?

As a guide price, 115 to 295 euros, depending on condition, maker and case. A particularly well-documented example with swords in its original case sold at a specialist auction for 320 euros in 2022.

How Can I Tell If a Kriegsverdienstkreuz Is Genuine?

By the eight-pointed cross shape with smooth, raised edges, the struck (not applied) central medallion with a swastika or crossed swords, a plausible maker's mark on the ring, and consistent ageing. We check the overall picture from your photos, free of charge.

Is It Legal to Sell a Kriegsverdienstkreuz?

Yes. The private sale of original historical decorations is legal in Germany. Only the public display of the symbolism is restricted (§ 86a StGB) — this is irrelevant to you when selling discreetly to a collectors' house.

How Much Is a Ritterkreuz to the Kriegsverdienstkreuz Worth?

Extremely rare and hard to put a figure on: only 230 were awarded, and just 2 of those in gold. For a serious assessment without a reliable market comparison, we check your piece individually from photos — here the rule is that the guide price only emerges after a personal appraisal.

Sell War Merit Cross

More guide values: Mother's Cross · Iron Cross · Knight's Cross · German Cross in Gold · Wound Badge · Second World War decorations · East German decorations