Sweden, the largest country in Scandinavia, has a history stretching from the Viking Age to its emergence as a major European power in the 17th century. Since the early 19th century, Sweden has maintained a policy of neutrality and developed into a prosperous constitutional monarchy known for innovation, social welfare, and cultural influence.
Sweden has produced an elegant and highly respected range of postage stamps since issuing its first stamps in 1855. Its philatelic issues celebrate the Swedish monarchy, historic architecture, wildlife, forests, scientific achievements, and renowned figures such as Alfred Nobel and Carl Linnaeus. Swedish stamps are particularly admired for their refined engraving, minimalist design, and consistently high printing quality.
The country uses the Swedish krona = 100 ore, introduced in 1873 as part of the Scandinavian Monetary Union and still in use today.