The Great Seal of the United States of America

by Don Fisher

Three Committees

Worked from 1776 to 1782

Secretary of Congress

Principal Designer of

the Seal

Charles Thomson

Approved on June 20, 1782

Front (Obverse) SideBack (Reverse) Side

On the back of the dollar bill

Front

Obverse

Back

Reverse

Bald Eagle

(National Bird)

“out of many, one”

Olive Branch

= peace

13 Stripes

13 Arrows

Red = Valor, Bravery

White = Purity, Innocence

Blue = Vigilance, Justice

13 Stars, one constellation

Cloud of Glory

Unfinished Pyramid

13 Rows of Stones

Roman Numbers 1776

Eye of Providence

(shining)

“He [God] favors our undertakings”

“New Order of the Ages”

Used to seal documents & treaties

Seal on Internet Law Treaty

Basis for other Seals

Trade Representative

State Department

Supreme Court

What is different?Stars

Scroll

Cloud

Stars

Cloud

Scroll

Shield

Which seal is on the back of the Kennedy half dollar?

The Presidential

Seal