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King Gustaf III of Sweden
(1771-1792)

The Royal Order Order of Vasa (Kungliga Vasaorden)

The Order of Vasa was instituted May 29th, 1772 by King Gustaf III.

The Order was awarded to foreign and Swedish citizens for meritorious achievements in agriculture, mining, commerce, art and education as well as service to the state and society.

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

The sash and all ribbons for the Order are made from solid green silk symbolizing agriculture.

Since 1974 the Order is no longer conferred.

The Order has three classes, with the second class and third class divided into 2 classes each.

Grand Cross

Not currently in collection.

The insignia is a white-enameled Maltese cross in gold suspended under the royal crown. The obverse features a sheaf in a vase arrangement, the coat of arms of Gustaf Vasa. Around the sheaf, on a red circle, the text "Gustaf 3. Instiktare 1772" (Instituted by Gustaf III, 1772). The reserve is identical. A gold crown is placed between each arm in the cross.

The Grand Cross breast star is a silver Maltese cross with a sheaf in the center. The breast star has a nettle leaf in the space between each arm. The nettle symbolizes Holstein, Germany, where King Adolf Frederik, the father of King Gustaf III was born.

The collar (not shown) is made from gold and consists of the following links: 4 sheaves, 4 nettle leafs and 12 crowned shields featuring Sweden’s 3 golden crowns on a blue background.

Commander 1st Class & Commander

Not currently in collection.

The Commander class in divided into two classes, Commander 1st Class and Commander. The insignia is identical to the Grand Cross, but worn by men in a neck ribbon and by women in a bow.

The breast star for Commander 1st Class is identical to the Grand Cross breast star, but empty spaces between each arm.

Knight 1st Class & Knight

Knight 1st Class in 18K gold shown, Knight 1st Class miniature is in gilded silver and Knight in silver shown.

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

The only difference between Knight 1st Class and Knight is the material, gold or gilded silver for 1st Class and silver for Knight Class. The Knight cross is quite rare.

Knight 1st Class - Obverse