Germany, Federal Republic. A German Cross in Gold, Early 1957 Version

(Deutsches Kreuz in Gold). Constructed of blackened, gilded, and silvered neusilber, the obverse consisting of a double-overlaid eight-pointed starburst pattern, bearing a central silvered disc overlaid by a 1939 Iron Cross executed according to the regulations of 1957, situated within a gilded circular laurel leaf wreath, wrapped in ribbon and joined together at the bottom by a plaque bearing an institution date of “1941”, trimmed along both the inner and outer edges with red enameled borders, the reverse with four visible rivets securing the obverse features in position, with a raised barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a flat wire catch, unmarked, measuring 64.27 mm (w) x 64.23 mm (h), weighing 76.2 grams, an early and fine-quality 1957 version issued to a veteran for wear in the Federal Republic in extremely fine condition.