All items originate from a hoard that once belonged to a prominent German medal dealer and were manufactured by C.F. Zimmermann of Pforzheim.
A gilded Slovak double cross with polished highlights and red enamel, surrounded by outwards pointing rays, and linden leaves. The Cross is superimposed by the Sloval eagle with the multi-colored enamel coat of arms of Slovakia holding fasces in its talons. The cross is in unissued condition and comes with the old storage tissue paper as well as the medals dealer's storage paper bag with inscription and countdown of the inventory from 3 to 2. Handwriting states the crosses to be gilded "verg." with the original price tag of 64 RM. The cross itself has a price tag attached, confirming the same price.
1st Class: gold cross, worn on a neck ribbon, accompanied by a star (for senior generals);
2nd Class: silver cross on a neck ribbon (for junior generals);
3rd Class: bronze cross worn on the breast ribbon.
The cross was based on the patriarchal double cross, the Slovak national symbol. The 1st Class cross was silver-gilt and enameled in red over a background of linden leaves. The oval base featured radiating rays with groups of three linden leaves between the arms. The pendant took the form of an eagle with outstretched wings, bearing the Slovak coat of arms on its chest. The 2nd Class used blue enamel instead of red, while the 3rd Class was bronze with brown translucent enamel and lacked the oval base.
The reverse typically bore the inscription SLOVAK REPUBLIC / 1939, though this was usually present only on crosses awarded to foreign recipients. The ribbons were richly decorated with embroidered linden leaves and varied in color:
1st Class: coral red
2nd Class: blue with red and white edges
3rd Class: red with ornamental side stripes.
The star of the 1st Class was silver, eight-pointed, and measured 84 mm across its main points. A miniature golden cross with red enamel was set at the center.
In September 1942, a government decree formally established the decoration under the name Slovak Military Victory Cross, maintaining its hierarchical structure but expanding it to four classes and introducing a special Grand Cross with Scepter. The artistic design followed the earlier version but simplified the ribbons and modified the suspension of the jewels.
In November 1943, a new decree expanded the award system to seven classes, adding the fifth through seventh. The new lower classes replaced crosses with round medals, and all classes were divided into military (with swords) and civil (without swords) divisions.
The Grand Cross (unnumbered) was the highest form, awarded with or without swords, both versions accompanied by a star.
The 1st and 2nd Classes were gold crosses worn on neck ribbons (the 1st Class also had a star).
The 3rd Class was a silver pin-on cross without ribbon.
The 4th Class was a bronze cross with white or colorless enamel, worn on a ribbon.
The 5th–7th Classes were medals in gold, silver, and bronze, respectively.
All military versions (except the 4th Class) incorporated crossed swords, either between the arms of the double cross or upon the medal’s surface. Civil versions were distinguished by enamel color and the absence of swords.
The Grand Cross and 1st–2nd Classes featured a gilded double cross with red translucent enamel, set over a field of linden leaves and radiating rays, with the Slovak eagle and emblem forming the pendant. The 3rd Class repeated the design in silver and blue enamel. The 4th Class had a bronze cross, and the medals (5th–7th) bore either the inscription ZA ZÁSLUHY (“For Merit”) or crossed swords within a laurel wreath.
The star of the Grand Cross and 1st Class was eight-pointed (84 mm across), silver, with a gilded red-enamel miniature of the cross at its center. It was worn on the left breast.
The ribbons of the various classes followed the original color scheme of coral red and yellow, differing in width and pattern depending on class. The Grand Cross ribbon, 90 mm wide and 1.8 m long, was worn over the right shoulder. The 1st and 2nd Classes used 25 mm neck ribbons, while the 4th Class used a shorter, wedge-ended breast ribbon with an eagle miniature.
For civil divisions, the eagle clutched the Svätopluk rods, while for military divisions, it held crossed swords. The ribbons for the 5th–7th Classes featured central yellow stripes and metal miniatures in gold, silver, or bronze, representing the corresponding medal class.
A total of 3,769 awards across all classes were granted, including 437 to members of the German armed forces and 142 to Romanian personnel. The order is rare across all classes.
HISTORY TRADER INC.
BUYER TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Internet Auctions and Sales
History Trader Inc. (“HT”)
521 Thorn Street #165
Sewickley, PA 15143
United States
Telephone: 914-309-2173
Website: Ratisbons.com
Effective Date: August 26, 2026
These Buyer Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern all purchases made through Ratisbons.com, operated by or on behalf of History Trader Inc. (“HT”), including purchases made through online auctions, fixed-price listings, post-auction sales, and other internet-based sales offered by HT.
By registering to bid, placing a bid, submitting an offer, purchasing an item, or otherwise participating in a sale conducted by HT, the Buyer acknowledges that the Buyer has read, understood, and agreed to these Terms.
These Terms, together with the applicable auction description, lot description, condition report, invoice, and any specific terms stated for an individual sale, constitute the agreement between HT and the Buyer.
HT may require prospective Buyers to register before participating in an auction or purchasing property. HT reserves the right to approve or reject registrations, request identification or additional information, refuse participation, suspend or terminate bidding privileges, and cancel or restrict transactions where HT considers it necessary or appropriate.
The Buyer represents that all registration information supplied to HT is accurate and complete. The Buyer is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any account credentials and for all activity conducted through the Buyer's account.
All bids submitted through Ratisbons.com are binding offers to purchase the applicable lot, subject to these Terms and the applicable auction rules. A Buyer should not place a bid unless the Buyer is prepared and authorized to complete the purchase.
HT may establish minimum bids, reserves, bidding increments, closing times, extensions, or other auction procedures. HT may, in its discretion and subject to applicable law, reject, cancel, or void a bid or transaction where there is a technical error, obvious listing error, suspected fraud, suspected manipulation, legal issue, or other legitimate reason.
The highest valid bid at the conclusion of an auction shall normally constitute the winning bid, subject to any applicable reserve and HT's confirmation of the sale. HT's determination concerning the successful bidder shall be final, subject to applicable law. The Buyer will receive an invoice following the conclusion of the auction or sale.
A 24.5% buyer's premium will be added to the hammer price unless a different buyer's premium is expressly stated for a particular auction or sale.
Example: Hammer price US $1,000 + buyer's premium (24.5%) US $245 = US $1,245 before applicable taxes or other charges.
The buyer's premium is payable by the Buyer and is not part of the hammer price.
HT will collect applicable sales tax where required by Pennsylvania law or other applicable law. The amount of tax may depend upon the Buyer's location, the nature of the property, the method of sale, and applicable marketplace or tax rules.
A Buyer claiming an exemption must provide valid exemption documentation acceptable under applicable law. The Buyer remains responsible for any applicable use tax or other tax obligations that are not collected by HT.
Following completion of the auction or sale, HT will issue an invoice identifying the amount due. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the invoice will include the hammer price, buyer's premium, applicable sales tax, shipping and insurance charges where applicable, and any other applicable charges.
Payment is due within ten (10) business days after creation of the invoice. The Buyer is responsible for ensuring that payment is received by HT within this period. Payment is considered timely only when cleared funds have been received by HT.
HT may accept payment by methods it makes available, including credit card, bank transfer, check, or other approved payment methods. HT may impose additional requirements for particular payment methods or high-value transactions.
If the Buyer fails to make full payment within ten (10) business days after creation of the invoice, HT reserves the right to cancel the sale, suspend or terminate the Buyer's bidding privileges, refuse future registration, offer the property to another buyer, retain any deposit or payment already made to the extent permitted by law, charge reasonable administrative, storage, shipping, collection, or other expenses, and pursue any other remedy available under applicable law.
Failure to make payment within the ten-business-day period forfeits the Buyer's right to return the purchased items under the return provisions of these Terms. A Buyer who has failed to pay within the required period may not subsequently assert the 14-day return provision solely as a means of avoiding payment or returning an unpaid purchase.
Nothing in this provision limits any non-waivable rights or remedies available to the Buyer under applicable law.
Property will normally be shipped after HT has received full payment. The Buyer is responsible for applicable shipping, insurance, packing, and handling charges unless otherwise stated. HT may require payment in full before releasing property for collection or shipment.
Title to purchased property shall pass to the Buyer only after HT has received full cleared payment, unless otherwise required by applicable law or expressly agreed in writing. HT may retain possession of property until payment has been received in full.
Unless expressly stated otherwise, all property is sold in the condition described in the applicable auction listing. Buyers are strongly encouraged to examine photographs, descriptions, measurements, condition reports, and other available information before bidding.
Descriptions may include opinions concerning age, authenticity, manufacture, rarity, provenance, condition, historical association, completeness, and other characteristics. Such descriptions are made in good faith based upon HT's knowledge and available information. Minor variations, normal age-related wear, patina, manufacturing characteristics, and other characteristics inherent to older or used property shall not ordinarily constitute a failure to conform to the description.
Where HT provides a condition report, the report is intended to identify material condition issues known or observed by HT. Condition reports are not intended to constitute an exhaustive examination of every aspect of an item.
The Buyer is encouraged to request additional information or photographs before bidding if the condition of an item is material to the Buyer's decision.
HT will make reasonable efforts to determine the authenticity of property offered for sale based upon its knowledge, experience, research, documentation, and, where appropriate, outside expert opinions.
Unless expressly stated otherwise, HT does not represent that every item is accompanied by an independent expert guarantee. Historical and collectible property may involve differing opinions concerning authenticity, attribution, manufacture, restoration, age, and provenance.
HT reserves the right to offer a fourteen (14) day return policy for an item where, after the sale, the item is determined to:
1. not be authentic as described in the auction listing; or
2. materially fail to conform to the condition report or material condition description provided by HT.
The fourteen-day period begins on the date the Buyer receives the property. The Buyer must notify HT in writing within the fourteen-day period and provide sufficient information concerning the alleged authenticity or condition discrepancy. HT may request photographs, documentation, an independent expert opinion, or other information reasonably necessary to evaluate the claim. HT shall have the opportunity to examine the property before determining whether the return qualifies under this provision.
A Buyer requesting a return under Section 15 must notify HT in writing within fourteen (14) days of receipt, identify the lot and invoice number, explain the claimed authenticity or condition discrepancy, provide supporting photographs or documentation when requested, obtain return authorization from HT before shipping the property back, and return the property in substantially the same condition in which it was received.
Unauthorized returns may be refused or delayed. The Buyer shall use an insured and trackable shipping method when returning property.
If HT determines that an item is not authentic as described in the auction listing, HT may authorize the return of the item. Where HT accepts an authenticity return, the purchase price and applicable buyer's premium may be refunded, subject to applicable law and the specific circumstances of the transaction. HT may require the Buyer to provide the opinion or documentation upon which the authenticity claim is based.
If HT determines that an item materially fails to conform to the condition report or material condition description, HT may authorize its return.
Minor imperfections, age-related wear, patina, manufacturing characteristics, previously disclosed defects, or reasonable differences of opinion concerning condition shall not ordinarily constitute grounds for return. The determination of whether an alleged condition discrepancy is material shall be made by HT based upon the available evidence, subject to applicable law.
Unless otherwise required by law, the 14-day return policy does not apply merely because the Buyer has changed their mind; no longer wants the item; paid more than they subsequently believe the item is worth; finds another example at a lower price; failed to review photographs or descriptions before bidding; failed to request a condition report when one was available; the item displays normal age-related wear; the Buyer disagrees with HT's valuation or estimate; or the item does not meet the Buyer's subjective expectations.
Any approved return must be made in substantially the same condition as when delivered to the Buyer. The Buyer shall not alter, restore, repair, clean, modify, dismantle, mount, frame, cut, remove components from, or otherwise materially change an item before returning it.
HT may reject a return where the condition of the property has materially changed after delivery to the Buyer, except where such change resulted from the defect forming the basis of an approved return.
Where HT approves a return under the 14-day policy, HT will process the applicable refund after receiving and inspecting the returned property. HT may withhold the refund until the property has been received and verified. Refunds will normally be made to the original payment method where practicable.
The Buyer must inspect shipments promptly upon receipt. If an item arrives damaged, the Buyer should immediately notify HT and retain all packaging and shipping materials. Photographs of the damaged property and packaging may be required to process an insurance or carrier claim.
A Buyer who modifies, restores, repairs, cleans, alters, dismantles, mounts, frames, cuts, removes components from, or otherwise changes purchased property may lose the right to return the property under the 14-day policy to the extent permitted by law. This does not limit rights that cannot legally be waived.
Purchased items must be shipped or collected by the Buyer within thirty (30) days of the applicable auction date, unless HT has agreed otherwise in writing.
If the Buyer fails to arrange shipment or collection within this thirty (30) day period, HT reserves the right to charge a storage fee of US $10.00 per item per day, beginning on the thirty-first (31st) day following the applicable auction date. Storage fees shall continue to accrue until the item has been shipped or collected by the Buyer.
HT reserves the right to require full payment of all accrued storage fees, together with any outstanding shipping, insurance, packing, handling, or other applicable charges, before releasing or shipping any item to the Buyer.
If the Buyer fails to collect or arrange shipment of purchased property within a reasonable period after the applicable auction date, HT may provide written notice requiring collection or shipment within a specified period.
If, following such notice, the Buyer fails to collect or arrange shipment, HT reserves the right, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Pennsylvania law, to treat the property as unclaimed or abandoned and to exercise any remedies available under applicable Pennsylvania law, including, where legally applicable, retaining a lien or other lawful interest for unpaid charges; selling or otherwise disposing of property in accordance with applicable statutory procedures; applying proceeds from any lawful sale toward amounts owed to HT, including storage and other reasonable expenses; and taking any other action permitted by applicable Pennsylvania law.
HT will provide any notices and follow any procedures required by applicable law before exercising a statutory right to sell, dispose of, or otherwise deal with unclaimed or abandoned property.
The Buyer acknowledges that failure to collect or arrange shipment does not transfer ownership of the property to HT automatically, and HT will not dispose of or sell the property except as permitted by applicable law or pursuant to another legally enforceable contractual or statutory right.
The Buyer remains responsible for all accrued storage charges and other applicable expenses until the property is collected, shipped, or otherwise lawfully disposed of.
HT reserves the right to cancel or void a sale where an item is subsequently determined to be counterfeit, an ownership or title dispute arises, a material cataloging error is discovered, the sale would violate applicable law, a technical error materially affected the auction, fraud or bidding manipulation is suspected, or another circumstance exists that reasonably requires cancellation.
To the fullest extent permitted by Pennsylvania law, HT shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or speculative damages, including lost profits, appreciation, lost opportunities, or other consequential losses arising from the purchase or sale of property.
Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited.
The Buyer is responsible for determining whether the purchased property is suitable for the Buyer's intended use, collection, display, transportation, storage, export, import, or other purpose. The Buyer is also responsible for complying with applicable laws governing possession, importation, exportation, registration, transportation, or use of purchased property.
The Buyer is responsible for determining whether purchased property may legally be exported from the United States or imported into the Buyer's country or jurisdiction. HT does not guarantee that an item may be legally exported or imported into any particular country.
The Buyer shall be responsible for applicable customs duties, import taxes, permits, licenses, and other governmental charges unless otherwise agreed. HT may refuse to ship an item internationally where legal, regulatory, insurance, or logistical considerations make shipment inappropriate.
The Buyer agrees that HT may communicate electronically regarding bids, purchases, invoices, payments, shipping, returns, and other transaction matters. Electronic records and electronic signatures may be used to establish and document transactions to the extent permitted by applicable law.
HT may collect and use information necessary to administer registrations, process purchases and payments, ship property, prevent fraud, comply with legal requirements, and provide customer service. HT may disclose information where required by law or reasonably necessary to complete a transaction, process payment, ship property, resolve a dispute, prevent fraud, or comply with governmental or marketplace requirements.
These Terms and any purchase made pursuant to them shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without regard to its conflict-of-law principles, except where mandatory federal or other applicable law controls.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms, a purchase, an auction, or property purchased from HT shall be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
The Buyer expressly consents to the jurisdiction and venue of the courts located in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, including the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, and any applicable federal court having jurisdiction.
Nothing in this provision shall prevent a Buyer from asserting a claim in another forum where applicable law provides a mandatory or non-waivable right to do so.
If any provision of these Terms is determined to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that provision shall be modified or severed to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
Failure by HT to enforce any provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of HT's right to enforce that provision in the future.
These Buyer Terms and Conditions, together with the applicable auction listing, lot description, condition report, invoice, and any specific written terms applicable to the sale, constitute the entire agreement between HT and the Buyer concerning the transaction. Any modification of these Terms must be made or confirmed in writing by HT.
By registering to bid, placing a bid, purchasing an item, or otherwise participating in a sale, the Buyer acknowledges that the Buyer has read, understood, and accepted these Buyer Terms and Conditions, including the 24.5% buyer's premium, the 10-business-day payment deadline, the applicable return policy, the 30-day shipping/collection deadline, the US $10 per item per day storage fee, and the provisions concerning unclaimed or abandoned property.