| The Great Seal of the United States |
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Origin of the Motto and The Great Seal 1776-1782 July 4, 1776 - USA Seal & Motto committee June 20, 1782 - 2nd die cut Seal& Motto adopted Nation State Coat of Arms - Heraldry in Middle Ages July 4, 1776 - Congressional committee researches and designs a United States of America Seal and Motto - John Adams, lawyer, an elected Massachusetts Delegate to Congress, Thomas Jefferson, planter, an elected Virginia Delegate to Congress, Benjamin Franklin, printer, an elected Pennsylvania Delegate to Congress, Charles Thompson, Esq., Secretary to Congress, Pierre Eugene du Simitierre, artist
OBVERE OF SEAL: Shields representing England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, Holland "Eye of Providence" - PLURIBUS UNUM - out of many, one REVERSE OF SEAL: Old Testament Scene - Pharoah in open chariot with his army, Red Sea engulfing army which allows Moses to reach opposite shore. Circular lettering: REBELLION TO TYRANTS IS OBEDIENCE TO GOD 1782 1st US die design cut by William Barton Phildelphia lawyer, heraldry expert. OBVERE OF SEAL: A Germanic Eagle style not American Bald Eagle. REVERSE OF SEAL: Adds "Eye of Providence" on top of Pyramid. 1782 2nd US die design cut by Charles Thompson, Esq. Secretary to Congress and Signer of Original Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. He makes composite of design ideas of three constituted Congressional committees. OBVERE OF SEAL he replaces the Germanic Eagle with American Bald Eagle. On the REVERSE OF SEAL he keeps "Eye of Providence" on top of Pyramid and adds the Latin phrases: ANNUIT COEPTIS - He has favored our undertakings. NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM - a new order of the ages. ADOPTED - June 20, 1782- remains essentially the same today. 1782 US Law: "The Device for an armorial achievement and reverse of the great seal of the United States in congress assembled, is as follows:ARMS: Paleways (perpendicular stripes) of thirteen pieces, argent (white) and glues (red); a chief (upper part of the escutcheon), azure (blue); the eucutcheon on the breast of the American eagle displayed proper (in natural color), holding in his dexter (right) talon an olive branch, and in his sinister (left) as bundle of thirteen arrows, and surrounding thirteen statesall proper, and in his beak a scroll, inscribed with the motto, "E Pluribus Unum." For the CREST. Over the head of the eagle, which appears above the escutcheon, a glory (ring or spot of light as a coronal), or, breaking through a cloud, proper, and surrounding thirteen stars, forming a constellation, argent on an azure field. REVERSE: A pyramid unfinished. In the zenith. an eye in a triangle, surrounded with a glory proper. Over the eye these words, "Annuit coeptis." On the base of the pyramid the numeral letters MDCCLXXVI And underneath the following motto, "Novus Ordo Seclorum." Charles Thompson Esq., wrote this interpretation: "The Escutcheon is composed of the chief and pale, the two most honourable ordinaries. The pieces, paly, represent the Several states all joined in one solid compact entire, supporting a Chief which unites the whole and represents Congress. The Motto alludes to this union. The pales in the arms are kept closely united by the chief and the chief depends upon that Union and the strength resulting from it for its support, to denote the Confederacy of the United States of America and the preservation of their Union through Congress. The colours of the pales are those used in the flag of the United States of America: White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness and Valour, and Blue, the colour of the chief, signifies vigilance, perseverance and justice. The Olive branch and arrows denote the power of peace and war which is exclusively vested in Congress. The Constellation denotes a new State taking its place and rank among other sovereign powers. The Escutheon is born on the breast of an American Eagle without any other supporters, to denote that the United States of America ought to rely on their own Virtue. The pyramid signifies strength and duration: The Eye alludes to the many signal interpositions of Providence in favour of the American cause. The date underneath is that of the Declaration of Independence and the words under it signify the beginning of the new American Aera, which commences from that date." 1835 - Pyramid recognized as Masonic symbol 1841 - seal image colours for printing improved. New US die cut made. The Constellation on the Seal is recognized as symbolizing a sovereign state. 1885 - Tiffany & Co. is commissioned to engrave another die cut using the 1782 design and written specifications. 1935 - Eye inside Pyramid on $1.00 bill American Currency by Brother President Franklyn Roosevelt
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