History

The King's Medal was established by King William III in the wake of the Franco-Prussian War. Although the Netherlands remained neutral throughout this period, King William III felt that it was necessary to honour those who had rendered medical and humanitarian services to the wounded.

The Silver Medal features a portion of text from the Bible which translates to "The Soul of the Wounded Cries Out," and the date of the signing of the first Geneva Convention. The reverse features the date of the first conference held in Geneva, surrounded by the flags of nations who participated in the talks. A total of 57 Silver Medals were awarded.

There may be additional versions that vary in inscription.