The Civil Order of Saxony, also known as the Saxon Order of Merit, was established on 7 June 1815 by King Frederick Augustus I of Saxony. It was a general order of merit for the royal subjects of the Kingdom of Saxony for distinguished civic service and virtue.

Civil Order of Saxony
Zivilverdienstorden
Star and grand cross of the order
TypeCivil Order of Merit
Awarded forservice to the state for civil virtue
Presented byKingdom of Saxony Kingdom of Saxony
EligibilitySaxon civilians
StatusObsolete
Established7 June 1815
Last awarded1918
Ribbon of the order
Precedence
Next (higher)Albert Order
Next (lower)Order of Sidonia

Classes of the order

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Prince Emil von Hessen und bei Rhein, Knight Grand Cross

Upon its founding in 1815, the order was divided into seven classes of merit:

  • Knight Grand Cross
  • Commander First Class
  • Commander Second Class
  • Knight
  • Small Cross
  • Gold Civil Medal
  • Silver Civil Medal

With an amendment of 18 March 1858, the Small Cross became the Cross of Honour, eventually becoming Knight Second Class on 31 January 1876. The decree also replaced the gold and silver medals with civilian crosses of distinction, in gold and silver. The classes of the order thus became:

  • Knight Grand Cross
  • Commander First Class
  • Commander Second Class
  • Knight First Class
  • Knight Second Class
  • Golden Civil Cross
  • Silver Civil Cross