For Zealous and Devoted Service of the Realm

A medal with the inscription "Honorary reward for Zealous and Devoted Service of the Realm" (Hedersbelöning för nit och redlighet i rikets tienst) was proposed in 1803 by the Generaltullarrendesocieteten as a reward for customs officials. It was approved by the King in Council on 20 May the same year, but the first known awarding took place in 1830. Then as a silver medal of the 8th size. On 1 July 1947 it was decided that the medal would only be awarded in gold of the 6th size. Previously it had been in four different sizes, three of gold and one of silver. By the 1973 order reform, the Riksdag decided that the medal would be the only award to be awarded for state service. ==Appearance==

The medal is made of 23 karat gold, weighs 11 grams and has a diameter of 27.5 millimeters None of the traditional manufacturers could provide that, so a long tradition was broken. Since the gold value of the men's watches became much less than before, the watches have to be manufactured in 14 carat gold instead. The band is made of calfskin. ==References==