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MDCCLXXVI Date at the base of the unfinished pyramid on the Great Seal of the United States MDCCLXXVI is 1776 in Roman numerals M = 1000 D =   500 C =   100 L =     50 X =     10 V =       5 I =        1 To decipher MDCCLXXVI, add the numbers: 1000 + 500 + 100 + 100 + 50 + 10 + 10 + 5 + 1 = 1776 This date was suggested by the first Great Seal committee (1776), who placed it in Roman numerals below their design. For the final Seal, Charles Thomson put this date on the reverse side. The Great Seal's official description says: "On the base of the pyramid are the numerical letters MDCCLXXVI and underneath, the following motto. 'novus ordo seclorum'." Thomson explained the symbolism: "The date underneath is that of the Declaration of Independence and the words under it signify the beginning of the new American Æra, which commences from that date." That the founders seriously considered 1776 the beginning of a new era is clear in official papers. For example, the document on which the Great Seal first appeared (Sept. 16, 1782) concludes as follows: "In Testimony whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made patent and the Great Seal of the United States of America to be thereunto affixed. Witness His Excellency John Hanson President of the United States in Congress assembled the sixteenth day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty two, And of our Sovereignty & Independence the Seventh." Coming soon: 250th anniversay of the USA (if we can keep it)