Megan

Grand Cross stars are harder to make out, but all appear to be 'M' too. Here's the clearest one: [Picture credits: eMedals & Liverpool Medals]

And a Grand Cross badge, reverse:

A quick root through the archives only reveals the 'M' variant, on both stars and badges. Here is the reverse of a Commander's badge, in close-up:

If he is awarded it, make sure that he lets you photograph the insignia. I used to know someone who was a Knight of the Garter, and when he heard that I was interested in such things, he rooted around in a cupboard, pulled out a brown paper bag and tipped out... his Garter!

Here is a picture of the collar and mantle:

Awarded to Moroccans in the UN contingent sent to the Congo Democratic Republic (formerly the Belgian Congo) to keep the peace, 1960-1964. [Picture credit: Emmanuel Halleux] Emmanuel tells me that this is often mis-identified as being a Congolese award, but it is in fact a Moroccan one! At least, according to A. Bertrand in Paris, who manufactured the piece.

Thank you for all the additional information, Emmanuel - fascinating. I'm struggling with the text of the decree, though - not the French, just in making out the actual words in your image. Are my eyes getting old? I'd seen reference - on a French medals forum - to there being THREE classes of the medal: gold, silver and bronze. Your explanation of a single gold one being (self?) awarded to the President of Tunisia may be the cause of this thought, but were any struck in silver?

Médaille Commémorative de la Bataille de l'Evacuation de Bizerte Instituted 12 December 1963 and awarded to mark the battle and eventual evacuation of the French naval base at Bizerte, which Tunisia had been requesting back since gaining independence from France in 1956. [Picture credit: Emmanuel Halleux]

I am in the process of updating the Central African Republic section of my website, so shall share this 'gem' that has not appeared in this thread. Officer class of the Ordre de la Reconnaissance Centreafricaine: [Picture credit: John Fitzgerald]

ՀՀ զինված ուժերի "Մարտական հերթապահության համար" մեդալ Instituted 27 July 2010, and awarded for military service ensuring the territorial integrety and borders of Armenia in 2 classes, the first for 3 years' service and the second for 6 years' service. 1st Class 2nd Class [Picture credit: Armenian Ministry of Defence]

ՀՀ զինված ուժերի "Ծովակալ Իսակով" մեդալ Instituted 27 August 2004 and awarded to officers and ensigns who have significant input in the spheres of army building, development of ARM military-educational system and military-patriotic education of the young generation, to servicemen who have shown personal valour in saving the lives of servicemen and in protecting the borders of the Motherland during mandatory service, and to individuals who have made contributions to the Armenian Army. [Picture credit: Armenian Ministry of Defence]

ՀՀ զինված ուժերի "Նելսոն Ստեփանյան" մեդալ Instituted 27 July 2010 and awarded to generals, officers, ensigns and special civil servants, those who have served in USSR and CIS detachments and participants in the Great Patriotic War who have shown significant courage or contributed to the strengthening, development and efficiency of the Armed Forces of Armenia, in the spheres of combat preparedness and military-patriotic education. [Picture credit: Armenian Ministry of Defence]

ՀՀ զինված ուժերի «Վազգեն Սարգսյան» մեդալ Instituted 12 September 2002 and awarded for meritorious services towards military education and improvments in service life. It comes in 2 types, which I think are for award to civilians and military personnel. 'Civilian' type: 'Military' type: [Picture credit: Ilya Repetski and the Armenian Ministry of Defence]

5th Class (Reverse): [Picture credits: eMedals (Barry Turk), La Galerie Numismatique, and Roman Slivin]

5th Class (Obverse):

4th Class (Reverse):

4th Class (Obverse):

3rd Class (Reverse):

3rd Class (Obverse):

2nd Class: Star (Reverse):

2nd Class: Star (Obverse):

2nd Class: Badge: http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2011/post-1530-0-60449600-1307690858.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2011/post-1530-0-71209900-1307690882.jpg

1st Class: Star (Reverse):

1st Class: Star (Obverse):

1st Class: Badge (Reverse): (Something rarely pictured...)