Offered for sale is a rare and 100% authentic commemorative plaque created to mark the completion of the first 1000 kilometers of the German Reichsautobahn, celebrated with the Führer in September 1936.
This beautifully preserved example was awarded to workers and contributors who had shown exceptional performance during the massive infrastructure project that became one of the regime’s major propaganda efforts. The plaque is maker marked by B.H. Mayer of Pforzheim, a well-known and respected medal manufacturer of the era.
Details:
Date: 1936
Event: Completion of the 1000 km milestone of the Reichsautobahn
Material: Metal (typically zinc with silver wash)
Markings: Clearly marked "B.H. Mayer, Pforzheim"
Condition: Excellent – well-preserved with sharp details and no damage
Dimensions: 84 mm (w) x 109 mm (h)
Design: Features a stylized eagle, the text “Reichsautobahn 1936”, and the “1000 km” motif in raised relief above a symbolic milestone and autobahn ramp.
Historical Background:
The celebration of the 1000 km milestone was a major national event, personally attended by Adolf Hitler and orchestrated down to the minute by the Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda.
The grand ceremony took place near Breslau (modern-day Wrocław, Poland) and was accompanied by military parades, mass gatherings of workers, speeches, and a tightly choreographed “Minutenprogramm” (minute-by-minute schedule).
As part of the commemorations, plaques like this one were awarded to distinguished autobahn workers in recognition of their service and accomplishments. These were not public souvenirs but issued selectively, making original pieces especially collectible and historically significant.
Collector's Note:
This is a guaranteed original item, not a post-war reproduction. The presence of the B.H. Mayer Pforzheim maker mark further reinforces its authenticity. A genuine piece of infrastructure and propaganda history from the Third Reich, and a centerpiece for any collector of period German medals or road/transport memorabilia.