Revolution (MPR), and the Medals of Conjugal and Maternal Merit are exclusively RZ medals.

Order of the Companions of the Revolution

Instituted during January 1974 by President Mobutu of the Republic of Zaire, the Order of the Companions of the Revolution had a single class to include the fourteen signatories of the proclamation creating the Republic of Zaire on November 24, 1965. It was the Nation’s top award during the period 1974 through 1997. There is absolutely no evidence that an actual Order was ever created and/or issued to the fourteen members. Mobutu was never observed wearing such an Order.

National Order of The Leopard

The nation’s highest award (other than during the period 1974 through 1997), the National Order of the Leopard (Figure2), was created on May 24, 1966. It is issued in the traditional five classes in both military (crossed swords suspension) (Figure 3) and civilian (five-pointed star suspension) (Figure 4) divisions.

The central disk on the 45mm (point to point on a west to east basis) obverse features a prowling leopard, surrounded (on most examples) by the inscription JUSTICE-PAIX.TRAVAIL on white enamel (Figure 5): Later versions of the Zaire medals lack this white enamel (Figure 6). Spear tips pierce four of the eight star-points; five are blue on the DRC versions (green on the RZ versions) and three are red. The enamel on the central disk of the obverse and on four of the six lower star points and the ribbon color exchange green for blue when issued by the Republic of Zaire. Examples of the Zaire version of Order of the Leopard are very rare and command a premium price. The reverse features a white enamel center with the inscription, REPUBLIQUE

DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO OR REPUBLIQUE DU ZAIRE surrounding either a five-pointed blue or green star, respectively. Recipients of this order were authorized a gate plaque announcing their membership in the order (Figure 7.)

It is speculated that the variations in the Zaire versions occurred at a time when Mobutu was running out of time and funds. The posture (attitude) of the leopard on these versions is also notably different.

National Order of Zaire

This order was established on December 2, 1968. It is

issued in the traditional five classes in both a military (crossed swords suspension) (Figure 8) and civilian (five- pointed star suspension) (Figures 9 and 10) division for services to the state. Both De Greef of Brussels (Figure 11) and Arthus Bertrand of Paris (Figure 12) manufactured the order. As the relationship between Mobutu and the Belgian authorities chilled, the contract for the manufacture of Zaire’s medals was moved to the French firm. In part this was also done to recognize France’s support during the internal insurrections (Katanga and South Kasai) in Zaire.

The medal design consists of a six-pointed star with blunt ends (three white enamel and three red enamel branches), separated by six gilt rays with green enamel palm branches. The central disk normally features a map of Zaire surrounded by the inscription, JUSTICE.PAIX. TRAVAIL. One example in my collection features the Arms of Zaire, the head of a leopard above a crossed spear and arrow with a ribbon below, reading JUSTICE. PAIX.TRAVAIL in lieu of the map of Zaire. The reverse is identical with exception of the inscription on the gilt center, which reads, ORDER DU ZAIRE on three lines surrounded either by REPUBLIQUE DU ZAIRE or

REPUBLIQ UE DEMOCRATIQ UE D U CONGO.

The Medals of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) (1960-1965 and 1997-)

The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s medals include, in addition to the Order of the Leopard and the Order of Zaire, the following:

The Military Cross (Figure 13) is a four-armed Maltese

cross (based on the Croix de Guerre design), separated

by rays and suspended from a five-pointed star. The

central disk features the head of a leopard surrounded

by the letters, D R C. It is issued with the following clasps:

(1) GANDA JIKA; (2) BAKWANGA; (3) LUPUTA and (4) KATANDA (spelled with a "D").

The Order of Civil Merit Medal (Figure 14) is issued

in 3 classes (gold, silver and bronze). The 35mm medal

is based on a Maltese Cross design suspended from a

small five-pointed star. The reverse features the

inscription, MERITE CIVIQUE on two lines in the center

and surrounded by 12 small stars with the inscription,

REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO.

The 36rnm circular Order of Agricultural Merit Medal (Figure 15) is issued in three classes (gold, silver, bronze).

The center of the obverse features the Arms of the Nation

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Figure 3: DRC Military Order of the Leopold, Knight’s Badge (Military.)

Figure 4: DRC Military Order of the Figure 6: Zaire Military Order of the Leopold, Knight’s Badge (Civil.) Leopold, Knight’s Badge (Civil.)

Figure 7: Order of the Leopard gate plaque.

Figure 5: Zaire Military Order of the Leopold,

Commander’s Badge (Civil.)

18 JOMSA

Figure 9: DRC verison of the Commander’s Figure 10: Zaire version of the Knight’s badge of the Order of Zaire (Civil.) badge of the Order of Zaire (Civil.)

Figure 13: DRC Military Cross.

Figure 8: DRC version of the Knight’s

badge of the Order of Zaire (Military.)

Figure 11: Zaire version of the Order of

Zaire, Grand Officer star by DeGreef

(Civil) with country map motif.

Figure 12: Zaire version of the Order of

Zaire, Grand Officer star by Arthus

Bertramd (Military) with crossed

swords and coat of arms.

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