National Order of the Ivory Coast

The National Order of the Ivory Coast (sometimes simply mentioned as National Order) is the highest state order of knighthood of the Ivory Coast.

History
The Order was founded on 10 April 1961 to celebrate the independence of the Ivory Coast which was until 1960 a French colony. It is eversince the highest honorific order of the State and awarded to those who have highly distinguished themselves to the service of the State, except under the form of the Collar to the foreign Heads of State in sign of friendship.

Insignia
The medal of the order is constituted of a white-enamelled cross of Malta, bordered in red, surrounded by a green crown of laurel. At the centre of the cross in a gold medallion showing a frontal elephant surrounded by a crown of laurel, the whole surrounded by a green-enamelled ring with golden inscription "REPUBLIQUE DE COTE D'IVOIRE" ("Republic of Ivory Coast").

The plaque shows the same desig as the medal but the cross is put upon a silver radiating star.

The ribbon of the order is dark orange.

Grades
The Order is subdivided in five ordinary grades, plus a special class of the Collar:
 * Collar
 * Grand Cross
 * Grand Officer
 * Commander
 * Officer
 * Knight