Germany, DDR. A Rare Blücher Order, Gold Medal, with Ribbon Bar and Case

(Blücher-Orden - Medaille in Gold mit Etui). Instituted 1965 by Walter Ulbricht. Constructed of gilded bronze, on loop for suspension with its period original ribbon affixed to a pentagonal plate with horizontal pinback, the obverse bearing a Cross Pattée, overlaid by a leftward-facing profile of Generalfeldmarschall Gebhard Leberecht von Blücherm, surrounded by an oak leaf wreath, the reverse bearing an inscription of “FÜR TAPFERKEIT” (“FOR BRAVERY”) above the coat of arms of the German Democratic Republic, unmarked, measuring 35.66 mm in diameter, accompanied by a matching ribbon bar, measuring 25 mm in length and featuring a horizontal pinback, both secreted within their original presentation case, constructed of a rigid card stock frame with a faux dark red leather liner, the interior with a white rayon lid liner and intact hinge cover, with a slotted maroon felt medal bed, unmarked, measuring 80 mm (w) x 145 mm (l) x 30 mm (h), a rare example in unissued and mint condition.

Footnote: Instituted in 1965 by then-Chairman of the Council of State Walter Ulbricht, the Blücher Order was intended to be awarded to NVA soldiers in recognition of exceptional bravery in times of war. However, as East Germany never officially entered into a state of war, no awards were ever bestowed. Nevertheless, on 25 January 1985, the National Defence Council ordered the minting of 8,000 examples of various grades of the order. The accompanying decoration is one example of this trove of unissued awards produced for conflicts which ultimately did not manifest.