History

The Tuscan Order of Civil Merit was founded by Ferdinand IV, last Duke of Tuscany, as an expansion of the Order of Military Merit founded in 1853 by Leopold II. It was awarded to citizens and foreigners for meritorious civil service that demonstrated loyalty to the sovereign and furthered their goals.

This Order was established with five classes: Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, and Knight.

As the Order was created following the annexation of Tuscany into the Kingdom of Sardinia, this Order is considered as an unofficial Order and independent of the previous Order of Military Merit.

Upon the death of the recipient, the decoration was returned to the Secretary of the Order

Some sources considered this Order only as a Dynastic order belonging to the Royal House of Tuscany.

If the Grand Cross or Grand Officer grades were conferred upon a non-noble they were bestowed with hereditary nobility.