Great Seal of the United States [3rd proposal] 1782
This word is Latin that means: courage, bravery strength, power, virtue, and excellence.
This phrase in Latin means in defense of liberty.
This word is Latin that means: undefeated and unconquered.
The man's army uniform is from the United States from 1782.
The stares on the woman's sash and the wooden part represent the colonies.
At the top of the seal are a white eagle holding the American flag and a sword with a wreath of laurel.
The shield is supported on its left side by an American warrior and on its right by the "Genius of the American Confederated Republic" represented by a maiden, with a dove perched on her right hand. Barton said, the dove is "emblematical of Innocence and Virtue."
This phrase means only virtue unconquered
About the Image
A third committee was formed on May 4, 1782, to make this seal. America would soon need a Great Seal to properly ratify a peace treaty. The committee was made out of Arthur Middleton, John Rutledge, and Elias Boudinot. Since they needed a consultant, they chose William Barton. When William Barton 28 years old, he came up with a design that was far too complex for purposes of a seal. A few days later, he submitted his design, which the committee submitted to Congress on May 9, 1782.
About the author
William Barton was a Pennsylvania lawyer, scholar, and the designer of the Great Seal of the United States. In May 1782, Barton, who had a reputation for his knowledge of heraldry, was consulted by the Third Great Seal Committee to contribute to the design of a national coat-of-arms for the United States. He introduced an eagle with wings "displayed", an element that Secretary of the Continental Congress Charles Thomson greatly emphasized in the final proposal.
Born: April 11, 1754, United States of America
Died: October 21, 1817, Lancaster, PA
Contemporary Image
