The Friedrich August Medal was instituted by King Frederick August III. It was conferred for meritorious service upon civilians and military personnel with any rank between Sergeant to Soldier.
From 8th April 1910, is could be awarded to females. When the medal was awarded to women it was worn on a bow ribbon.
The medals awarded for merit in wartime were also awarded with a clasp reading "WELTKRIEG 1914-16". The clasps conferred upon women were shaped like an oak leaf, and the clasps conferred upon men were rectangular-shaped with rounded corners. The clasps are identical to those worn on the Carola Medal.
From 1905 to 1907, the medals were manufactured by G. A. Scharffenberg in Dresden, and from 1908 to 1918, the medals were manufactured by the Royal Saxon Mint in Muldenhütten. In September 1918, the medals came from electroplating bronzed iron. The following month, it was approved that aluminum, iron, or zinc could be used, due to a lack of copper.
The obverse presents the cypher FAR, while the reverse presents the inscription FRIEDRICH AUGUST MEDAILLE surrounded by a laurel wreath. From 1908 to 1918, a total of 90,402 medals were minted by the Saxon mint Muldenhütten.
