Västmanland

The coat of arms of Västmanland County features two crossed silver mining picks on a red field, topped by a golden royal crown. The mining picks are the quintessential symbol of the Bergslagen mining district, which has been at the heart of Swedish iron production since the Middle Ages. The crown above the picks signifies the royal authority over the mines, as mining was historically a crown monopoly in Sweden. Västmanland's identity is inseparable from its mining heritage, and the county capital Västerås was a major center of the medieval iron trade.