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
The Civil Order of Saxony Design
The insignia is a gold Maltese cross with white enameled arms and with green enameled fleur-de-lis between the arms of the cross. It measures 41.63 mm wide x 41.37 mm high and weighs 17.3 grams.
The obverse of the order shows a center white enameled medallion with a Saxon crowned royal monogram painted on the obverse, circumscribed “FRIED.AUG. K. V. SACHSEN. D. 7 JUN. 1815”.
The reverse hjas the inscription “Für Verdiesnt und Treue” (For Merit and Loyalty) within a laurel wreath.
