Foreigners appointed into the Order were counted as supernumerary knights, not affected by these limits.

The medal of the order consisted of a white-enameled cross border of "overseas azure", subdivided in eight "golden-balls" points.

In the middle was an azure shield with a white eagle in its center, antique symbol of the Este.

At the back, the shield shows the Saint Contardo's effigy with the inscription: S. CONTARDUS ATESTINUS.

Between the four arms of the cross, four golden cursive letters, to form the word E S T E. The cross is surmounted by a trophy for the military class, by an oak crown for the civilian class, and a royal crown for foreign knights.