- Time Period: Pre World War I
- Institution: 1814
- Country: Sweden
The H.M. King’s Medal (H.M. Konungens medalj in Swedish), previously known as the Court Medal (or Hovmedaljen), is a prestigious honor bestowed upon both Swedish and foreign nationals.
Established in 1814, this medal is not classified into classes but rather awarded based on size. The 12th size is the largest and is typically worn around the neck on a chain or ribbon, while the 8th and 5th sizes are worn suspended from the left breast by a ribbon, following the Seraphim Medal.
Recipients of the King’s Medal include individuals who have demonstrated exceptional merits and officials serving at the royal court. This practice became particularly common after 1975, when the conferral of Swedish Orders of Chivalry to non-royal Swedish citizens ceased, until the Orders were reopened to Swedish citizens on February 1, 2023.
The H. M. The King’s Medal Design
The King’s Medal is available in different sizes, crafted from both gold and silver, and can be worn suspended from either a ribbon or chain.
Unlike traditional classifications, Swedish medals are not divided into classes but rather into sizes. These sizes are determined by the Berch’s Scale, an 18th-century scale that assigns specific dimensions to each medal. For instance, the 12th size medal has a diameter of 43 mm, while the 8th size measures 31 mm in diameter.
