King Olav V (1957-1991)

  

The Royal Norwegian Order of Merit (Kongelige Norske Fortjenstorden)

The Order of Merit was instituted 1985 by King Olav V.  It is the newest Nordic order.

The order is bestowed on foreign nationals, Norwegian citizens living abroad and Norwegian Foreign Service diplomats for “outstanding service in the interest of Norway.”

The reigning monarch (King Harald V) is head of the Order.

The sash and all ribbons for the Order are made from deep blue moiré silk.

The Order is divided in five classes: Grand Cross, Commander with Star, Commander, Knight 1st Class and Knight.  Unlike the Order of St. Olav, the Order of Merit does not have a collar associated with the Grand Cross class.
 

Grand Cross

Not currently in collection.

The insignia of the Order is a gilded silver cloverleaf cross (also known as an Olav Cross) with red enamel inlays.  The obverse features the monogram of the founder Olav V, the reverse the name and seal of the official court jeweler.  A stylized crown is placed between each arm of the cross.

The Grand Cross breast star is an 8-pointed fluted star in silver.  It features the insignia of the Order superimposed on top. 
         

Commander With Star and Commander

Current Commander version in gilded silver shown, breast star not currently in collection.

The Commander insignia is worn by men in a neck ribbon and by women in a bow. The insignia is identical in size to the Grand Cross insignia.  Unusual for this order is the use of identical breast stars for both Grand Cross and Commander With Star.

 

  


Commander - Obverse

  


Commander - Reverse
 

Knight 1st Class & Knight

Not currently in collection.

The Knight class, which is smaller than Grand Cross and Commander insignia, is worn by men in a straight ribbon and by women in a bow.