King Frederik I of Sweden
(1720-1751)

   The Royal Order of the North Star (Kungliga Nordstjärnesorden)

The Order of the North Star was instituted February 23rd,1748 by King Frederik I. Its present statutes are from 1975.

The Order was originally awarded to Swedish and foreign citizens for meritorious achievements in science and literature as well as service to the state and society. Since 1975 it is the only Swedish order in use except for the Order of the Seraphim. The Order is awarded for service to Sweden and Swedish interests to foreign citizens only.

The reigning monarch (King Carl XVI Gustaf) is head of the Order.

The sash and ribbons for the Order were originally made from solid black silk, today the sash and ribbons are made from blue silk with yellow trim – the national colors of Sweden.

The Order has three classes with Commander grade divided into two classes: Grand Cross, Commander 1st Class, Commander and Knight.


Grand Cross

  


Grand Cross Insignia

  

Grand Cross

 

1878 Grand Cross insignia in 18K gold with sash and breast star in silver shown.

 

The insignia is a white-enameled Maltese cross in gold suspended under the royal crown. The obverse features a blue medallion with a white North Star and the text "Nescit Occasum" (It knows no descent). The reverse is identical. A gold crown is placed between each arm in the cross.

 
       


Grand Cross Breast Star - Obverse

  


Grand Cross Breast Star - Reverse

 

The collar (not shown) is made from gold and consists of the following links: 14 crowned blue-enameled back-to-back F’s for Frederik I and 7 white North Stars.		    
           


Commander 1st Class Breast Star - Obverse

  


Commander 1st Class Breast Star - Reverse

Commander 1st Class & Commander

Latest model in silver (breast star) and older version gilded silver (commander badge) shown.

The Commander class in divided into two classes, Commander 1st Class and Commander. 
 


Commander - Obverse

  


Commander - Reverse

Commander 1st Class wears the breast star in addition to the Commander insignia, while Commanders wears the insignia only.

 

The Commander insignia is worn by men in a neck ribbon and by women in a bow.

 		  
             


Knight - Obverse

  


Knight - Reverse

  


Knight, Miniature Obverse

  

Knight

1950s Knight and older miniature both in 18K gold shown.

 

Knight is Insignia worn by men in a ribbon and by women in a bow.

 

The full-size Knight is in immaculate condition, flawless enamel and a perfectly frosted gold finish.  Even the stones and enamel tips in the crown are intact.

 
   


Knight, Miniature Reverse