The Order was established by Alexander I in January 1880 although the foundation date of the Order was 29th April 1879. This was the first Bulgarian Order to be founded and to be awarded for exceptional acts of bravery in the field.

The second type of this Order has the added dates of 1915, 1916 and 1917 in its various forms.

The second type of this Order has the added dates of 1941, in its various forms.

The Order was established by Alexander I 25th December 1881 and named after the Russian hero Alexander Nevsky. This was the second Bulgarian Order to be founded. It was to be awarded for loyal and meritorious service to the State in general. The suspension was in the form of the Royal Crown with flowing pendelia.

The suspension was changed when Ferdinand I came to the throne around 1891 to the form of the modified Imperial Crown with upturned pendelia.

This is the third and last Order to be instituted by Alexander I. It was established 24th March 1883 to be awarded to Officers for acts of bravery in the cause of the Bulgarian nation. It took the form of a circular pinback badge with the Kings head on it. The 1st Type with Alexander's effigy and the 2nd Type with Ferdinand's effigy.

The Order was established by Prince Ferdinand I on 2nd August 1891. This was the fourth Bulgarian Order to be founded to close the gap and institute a civil award. The crown used was the Royal crown.

The crown used in this case was the Imperial crown.

The Order was established by Prince Ferdinand I on 18th May 1900. This was the fifth Bulgarian Order to be founded to be awarded to officers for outstanding merit in time of war. The crown used was the Imperial crown.

The War decoration was added in 1916 to be awarded for exceptional acts of bravery in the field. The crown used was the Imperial crown.

After the forced abdication of Alexander I. Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha left Austria on August 9th 1887 and was installed 14th August 1887 as the Prince of Bulgaria and created his first award.