This is an elaborate multi-piece construction of the finest jeweler quality. The badge is made of 14 karat gold, as is the reverse pin assembly. Surrounded by oak leaves and acorns, hand-finished. The inset HJ badge is made of white gold, with a black enameled swastika in the center. The HJ Honor Badge is set with a total of 8 diamonds and 6 rubies, which were specially cut to fit into the HJ badge. Stamped “585” gold on the reverse. Height 32.8 mm, width 20.3 mm. Only lightly worn, in excellent condition.
The Golden Honor Badge of the HJ was instituted on June 23, 1934 by Reichsjugendführer Baldur von Schirach, with over 130,000 awards in total. Beginning in 1934, the Golden Honor Badge with oak leaf border was awarded to prominent personalities within and outside the HJ; approximately 400 awards are estimated.
The Special Grade with oak leaf border, diamonds and rubies was awarded from 1942 onward (alongside the Honor Badge of the Reichsjugendführung for meritorious foreigners). No official regulations exist; 4-5 awards are estimated. One piece as a ladies' version on a horizontal brooch was awarded to the wife of the Romanian Head of State Marshal Antonescu, Madame Maria Antonescu.

Extremely rare; we are not aware of any other example.

424942

Golden Honor Badge of the Hitler Youth with Oak Leaves Special Grade with Diamonds and Rubies

The Golden Honour Badge of the Hitler Youth with Oak Leaves, Special Grade with Diamonds and Rubies represents the absolute pinnacle of the Hitler Youth honours system and ranks among the rarest awards of National Socialist Germany. This extraordinary decoration documents not only the hierarchical structure of the Nazi youth organization but also the significance the regime attached to symbolic recognition of the highest achievements.

The development of the HJ honour badges began with the institution of the Golden Honour Badge of the Hitler Youth on 23 June 1934 by Reichsjugendführer Baldur von Schirach. This basic honour badge was awarded to members of the Hitler Youth, Deutsches Jungvolk, Bund Deutscher Mädel, or Jungmädelbund who had been active before the Reichsjugendtag in Potsdam on 2 October 1932, or for exceptional service after five years of unbroken service. Approximately 120,000 to 130,000 awards of this grade were made, making it a relatively widespread decoration.

The version with oak leaves was introduced in 1935 and represented a considerably more exclusive honour. It was awarded to high-ranking HJ personalities and distinguished individuals both inside and outside the HJ. With approximately 400 awards, this grade was already substantially rarer. Specialized databases document a total of 153 known recipients of the oak leaves version as of 2024, including numerous HJ-Gebietsführer, SS officers, and NSDAP officials.

The Special Grade with Diamonds and Rubies represented the absolute apex of this hierarchy. From 1942 onwards, this version was awarded as a personal gift of honour from Reichsjugendführer Baldur von Schirach to the highest-ranking recipients. The creation of this extraordinary award occurred in the middle of World War II, at a time when precious metals and gemstones were extremely scarce, further emphasizing its exceptional status.

The technical execution represents the highest standard of jeweler's craftsmanship. The badge consists of multiple components: a wreath of hand-worked oak leaves and acorns in 14-karat gold (585 fineness), a central HJ emblem in white gold with a black enameled swastika in the center, and a total of eight diamonds and six rubies that were specially cut to fit into the HJ emblem. The reverse pin system is also made of 14-karat gold and bears the fineness hallmark “585”. The dimensions measure 32.8 mm in height and 20.3 mm in width, with a weight of 8.64 grams.

The documented recipients of this highest grade include Adolf Hitler, Baldur von Schirach himself, and Henriette von Schirach. The source situation regarding the exact number of awards is contradictory and demonstrates the difficulties in historically reconstructing this rare decoration.

Baldur von Schirach served as Reichsjugendführer from 1931/1933 until 1940, before becoming Gauleiter of Vienna. Under his leadership, the Hitler Youth developed into the sole legal youth organization in Germany. In 1936 it was declared the only youth organization, and in March 1939 membership became compulsory. By this time, the HJ numbered approximately eight million members aged ten and older.

The Golden HJ Honour Badge was created in the context of recognizing the “Old Guard” of the Hitler Youth who had joined before the Reichsjugendtag in Potsdam on 2 October 1932. The Special Grade with diamonds and rubies represents the absolute pinnacle of Hitler Youth honours and was created during World War II when such precious materials were scarce, emphasizing its exceptional status.

After 1945, the public display and wearing of all Nazi Party awards, including Hitler Youth badges, was banned in both the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic. In modern Germany, such items fall under §86a StGB (use of symbols of unconstitutional organizations) and are prohibited from public display. They may only be possessed for historical, educational, or research purposes. The badges are now found only in museums, archives, and private collections of militaria.