Background: The Nobel Prize Tradition
The Nobel Prize — established in the will of Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel in 1895 — is widely regarded as the most prestigious global award for achievements in science, literature, peace, and economic sciences. Nobel awards are granted annually by independent committees in Sweden and Norway and include a medal, a diploma, and a monetary reward.
While the Nobel Prize is iconic for its recognition of outstanding contributions to humanity, recent events have prompted questions about what happens if the physical medal is transferred after the award. This issue came into focus following a high-profile gesture involving the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Recent Controversy
In early 2026, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, presented her Peace Prize medal to former U.S. President Donald Trump at a White House event. Machado said she was honouring Trump for what she described as his role in supporting Venezuelan democracy. Trump accepted the medal and has stated his intention to keep it.
The gesture reignited debate over whether a Nobel Prize (or its physical components) can be given away or transferred, particularly when the recipient is a globally recognised figure like Trump. But the award’s governing body has been clear in its response.
Nobel Committee’s Clarification
Following the event, the Norwegian Nobel Committee issued a formal statement: the Nobel Prize itself is inseparably tied to the laureate named in history, regardless of what happens to the physical medal or diploma. The statutes of the Nobel Foundation place no restrictions on how recipients may handle the medal, diploma, or monetary award once granted, meaning laureates may give away, sell, or donate their physical items if they choose.
However, the official title of Nobel Prize winner — recorded by the Committee — remains entirely with the original laureate. No subsequent holder of the medal, no matter their prominence, is recognised as a Nobel laureate in the formal records.
This clarification upholds the integrity of the Nobel tradition and underscores the Committee’s stance that the honour of the prize is distinct from the physical award items themselves.
Nobel Prize Rules: What You Can and Can’t Do
Ownership of the Medal and Diploma
According to the Nobel Foundation statutes, there are no legal barriers preventing laureates from transferring ownership of the medal, diploma, or prize money they receive. Thus, individuals can keep, sell, gift, or entrust these items to others or institutions.
Historical instances support this interpretation: past laureates have chosen to sell, donate, or otherwise relinquish their medals, sometimes for charitable or symbolic reasons.
The Title Remains Permanent
Despite freedom over the physical components, the title and honour of being a Nobel laureate are non-transferable. Nobel committees explicitly state that once awarded, a Nobel Prize cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to another person or organisation. Decisions on awarding a prize are final upon announcement and remain recorded for history.
Refusal vs. Transfer
While Nobel laureates can refuse the prize outright — as has happened rarely in history — refusal does not nullify the original awarding decision; the decision still stands, even if the recipient declines to accept it.
Reactions to the Clarification
The Committee’s statement sparked responses from observers across the political and cultural spectrum. Some praised the reaffirmation of the Nobel Prize’s prestige and independence, emphasising that the honour should not be diminished by post-award actions. Others criticised the spectacle around the gifting gesture, arguing that it could blur public understanding of how Nobel honours are meant to function.
Political commentators and Nobel historians have noted that while symbolic gestures involving the medal attract attention, they do not alter the fundamental rules or historical record of the Nobel Prize system.
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Historical Context and Precedents
Over the decades, the Nobel medals of several laureates have been sold or donated for various reasons — from fundraising for charitable causes to personal choice. Despite these transfers, official Nobel records always reflect the original recipient as the sole laureate of the award.
For example, in past cases, recipients have chosen to part with their medals, sometimes at auctions or exhibitions, without altering their status as Nobel Prize winners.
These precedents align with Nobel statutes and confirm the principle that honour and official record are distinct from physical ownership of the medal.
What This Means Going Forward
The Nobel Foundation’s clarification helps ensure that public understanding of the Nobel Prize remains tied to the award’s original purpose — recognising outstanding contributions to humanity in science, literature, peace, and economics.
While the fate of physical medals may vary based on recipients’ personal choices, the legacy and recognition of a Nobel Prize winner remain secure once bestowed.
This distinction strengthens confidence in the Nobel Prize as an enduring symbol of achievement that transcends the physical objects associated with it.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or historical advice. Readers should refer to official Nobel Foundation resources for comprehensive rules and statutes regarding Nobel Prizes.