Main Pages Front Page Overview Seal FAQs Design Process  1st Committee  2nd Committee  3rd Committee  Final Design  Description  Explanation Latin Mottoes  E Pluribus Unum  Annuit Coeptis  Novus Ordo Seclorum Symbols (front)  Bald Eagle  Shield  Olive Branch  Arrows  Stars  Rays of Light  Cloud Symbols (back)  Pyramid  Eye  MDCCLXXVI Great Seals  Official Dies  Pendant Seals  First Engravings  First Painting  1792 Medal  Indian Medals  1882 Medal  One-Dollar Bill  Bicentennial  United Seal  Eagle Rising Myths  Eagle Side  Pyramid Side Themes  Unity  Peace  Liberty  Thirteen Related  Wild Turkey  President's Seal  U.S. Constitution  Sightings  Resources Videos  Liberty Tree Song  United Seal Make America Bright Again

Dies and Realizations of the Great Seal of the United States The original form of the Great Seal is a written description that uses heraldic language to precisely describe the appearance of the imagery. Called a "blazon," it is the starting point for creating an accurate die or illustration of the Great Seal. An illustration based on the blazon is called a "realization." An artist's realization of the Great Seal therefore begins in the mind's eye where this image described by America's founders is envisioned, then drawn. Think of a die or realization as somewhat like a singer's version of a song based on the songwriter's original sheet music. Interpretations naturally will vary. (Did somebody say the Star-Spangled Banner?) Since its inception in 1782, seven Great Seal dies have been created and used to seal official documents. GREAT SEALS In addition, other notable realizations of the Great Seal have been created – by the U.S. government and by individual artists. Government Diplomatic Medal (1792) Indian Peace Medals (1790s) Masi Treaty-Seal (1825) Centennial Medal (1882) One-Dollar Bill (1935) The Great Seal has a reverse side because in the 18th century when it was designed, pendant seals were used. These were in the form of a two-sided disk of wax attached to the document by ribbons or cords. Artists First engravings (1786) – James Trenchard First color painting (1786) – Unknown Artist First popular magazine article (1856) – Benson J. Lossing First book: The Seal of History (1897) – Charles Totten Reverse side (1975) – Terry Lamb Bicentennial poster (1976) – Rance Barela Stained Glass Reverse (1978) – William Lateef Yoder United Seal (2001) – Doris Rowe Eagle Rising (2004) – Cy Hundley The problem is, many illustrations and dies are not based on the original Great Seal blazon. Instead, they are derived from other realizations or dies that may be inaccurate. For example, most Great Seal dies copied an error in the first die which did not show the rays of light breaking through a cloud as specified in the blazon. Time Map: "The thirteen courses of the pyramid may represent thirteen time-periods of thirteen years each." – Paul Foster Case

Historical content is based on the official history of the Great Seal.
Online since 1998 • Webwright: John D. MacArthur