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Here a close-up on the Gold Medal of Labour.

And their reverse.

Among the more often seen medals of the Centrafrican Republic that collector can easyly found is the Medal of Labour. It is a 4 Classes medal,created in 1962. The classes are named : bronze,silver,silver-gilt & gold. Here below you can see from left to right : Gold Medal , Silver Medal & Bronze Medal ,the last one of a rarer version issued during the short period of time during which Centrafrique was an Empire (1976-1979). Emmanuel

Another medal was created in 1969, the Medal of Courage & Devotion ( Medaille du Courage et du Dévouement ). It is mainly an award for civil act of valour & life saving.It is a 3 classes medal. Actually this medal is very rare,and I have never seen one in silver or in gilt. Emmanuel

In 1969 was also created the Medal of Honour for the Police. It is a single class medal. Emmanuel

In 1969 was created the Medal of Sports Merit of the Centrafrican Republic. It is a 3 classes medal that can more or less be considered as an Order. It exist some variation in the suspension barrel of this award.The one shown below is an early one from the 70ies with good quality enamel. Emmanuel

Without knowing why, I found a version of the Cross of Military Valour with a rhino head,instead of the buffalo head. Maybe a change made after the fall of Bokassa. Emmanuel

The other purely military award of Centrafrican Republic is the Cross of Military Valour ( Croix de la Valeur Militaire ) Emmanuel

Here the insignia of the Star of Military Merit from the era of Empire of Centrafrique (1976-1979). As you can see on obverse side,the 3 letters E.C.A. ( Empire Centre Africain ) Emmanuel

The Centrafrican Republic has mainly 2 military award. The first is the Star of Military Merit. This single class award was created on 8 November 1962. During the Empire period (1976-1979),the letters RCA (Republique Centre Africaine) on the obverse were replaced by ECA (Empire Centre Africain). Below is the insignia of the republic period. Emmanuel

Here the insignia of Knight of the Order of Commercial Merit of Centrafrican Republic

Still in the 60ies was created a fifth Order of specific merit, the Order of Commercial Merit.Again it is a 3 Classes Order. It is believed that this Order was few awarded,as only recently some insignia came to market. A french regiment stationed in Bangui returned to France in late 2006 or early 2007,and suddently on the "prefered internet sale web site" a lot of all the award of Centrafrique came available for collectors. After a few months,the stock was empty. Here an insignia of Officer of the Order of Commercial Merit of the Centrafrican Republic. Emmanuel

And its award document.

Here the insignia of Officer of the Order of Industrial & Craftmen Merit of Centrafrican Republic.

Still in year 1962 was created a 4th specific Order of Merit. The Order for Industrial & Craftmen Merit ( Ordre du Merite Industriel & Artisanal ).Again it is a 3 classes Order. Here you can see the insignia of a Commander of the Order for Industrial & Craftmen Merit. Emmanuel

On 8 November 1962 was created the 3rd specific merit Order of Centrafrican Republic, the Order of Post Merit ( Ordre du Merite Postal ). Again it is a 3 Classes Order. Here you can see the insignia of a Knight of the Order of Postal Merit. Only ounce I remember to have seen an insignia of the Order of Postal Merit with inscription on reverse : Empire Centrafricain. Emmanuel

And their reverse.

Here the insignia of the Knight of the Order of Agricultural Merit. The Knight like the suspension device and it is 100 % correct. Emmanuel

On 18 August 1962 was created the 2nd specific merit Order, the Order of Agricultural Merit. Again it is a 3 classes Order. Here you can see the insignia of Officer. Emmanuel

And an award document for Knight of the Order of Academic Palm of Centrafrican Republic.

Here the insignia of Officer of the Order of Academic Palms of Centrafrique It exist some variation in the suspension knob. The exemple shown below is an early insgnia with high relief good quality enamel.

A lot of specific merit Orders were created.The first in date was the Order of Academic Palms, created on 8 August 1962. It is a 3 Classes Order. Here you can see the highest rank of this Order, Commander of the Order of Academic Palms All the specific merit Orders of Centrafrique have existed with reverse inscription Empire Centrafricain, in place of Republique Centrafricaine. These version are very rare. Emmanuel

Here you can see a Knight of the Order of Operation Bokassa from the Empire (1976-1979). Emmanuel

Here a close-up on the breast star of the 1st model

On 19 November 1970 Jean Bedel Bokassa as President of the Republic created the Order of Operation Bokassa which then became the 2nd highest Order . When he declared his country an empire,the motto on obverse side was changed. The first version reads : General J.B. Bokassa - President de la Republique Centrafricaine The second version reads : S.M.I. Bokassa 1ier - Empire Centrafricain (S.M.I. = Sa Majesté Imperiale ,in english His Imperial Majesty) Here you can see a picture of the Grand Cross of the 1st version. Emmanuel