It was awarded to acknowledge and reward excellent and outstanding achievements in the field of science and art at home and abroad.

The badge of the first model from 1873–1905 was a high oval bronze gilt medal, surrounded by twenty-four pointed rays and is suspended by a crown from its ribbon.

On the back is the four-line inscription "Für Wissenschaft und Kunst" (For Science and Art) enclosed in an open top laurel wreath tied at the bottom.

On the back of was the Anhalt coat of arms in the center encircled by the inscription "Für Wissenschaft und Kunst" (For Science and Art).

After 1905 when the first class was made larger, it was worn from the neck by men and by ladies as a bow on her left shoulder.