He was born in Gotha, the eighth, but fifth surviving, son of Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Altenburg and Elisabeth Sophie of Saxe-Altenburg.

Christian had traveled far in his youth and was interested early in History and Art.

After the divisionary treaty of the duchy in 1680, Christian retained Eisenberg and the towns of Ronneburg, Roda and Camburg.

He died in Eisenberg, with considerable debts, and, like his brothers Albrecht of Saxe-Coburg and Heinrich of Saxe-Römhild, without sons.

They had only one daughter: In Darmstadt, on 9 February 1681, Christian married secondly with Sophie Marie of Hesse-Darmstadt.