Seal of North Carolina

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The Great Seal of North Carolina is used to authenticate certain documents issued by the government of North Carolina. The seal depicts two women, one representing liberty, and the other representing prosperity. The Great Seal was adopted in 1794, standardized in 1971, and later modified to its present form in 1983.

Design

According to an act passed by the North Carolina General Assembly on April 8, 1971, and amended in 1983, the state seal is defined by law as:<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

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File:Esse Quam Videri plaque Guilford Courthouse National Military Park.JPG
The state seal on a plaque at the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park.

History

Colonial seals

  • Seal of the Province of Carolina
    Seal of the Province of Carolina
  • Seal of the Government of Albemarle
    Seal of the Government of Albemarle

When the Province of Carolina was established as a British colony in 1663, it adopted a two-sided seal. The obverse side of the seal depicts a crest with two crossed cornucopias on a shield flanked by two Indians with a deer atop a knight's helmet above the shield. The reverse side depicts the cross of England surrounded by the arms of each lord proprietor of Carolina.<ref name=Carolina/><ref name=Symbols/>

When the Government of Albemarle was organized within the colony in 1665, it adopted the reverse side of the colony's seal as its official seal. The Government of Albemarle only made one change to the seal; it added the name ALBEMARLE around the edge of the seal.<ref name=Carolina/><ref name=Journey/>

When the Province of Carolina separated into two different colonies, the new North Carolina Colony was without a seal. On February 3, 1730, the Board of Trade recommended to the King of Great Britain that he order for the creation of a seal for the North Carolina Colony. Later that same month, the King of Great Britain would approve of a seal design. The obverse side of the seal depicts the coastline of North Carolina. To the left is King George II on his throne with two women facing him. The first woman, representing liberty, is holding a stick with a Phrygian cap. The second woman, representing prosperity, is holding a cornucopia. To the right is a ship sailing towards the coastline.<ref name=Carolina/> The bottom of the seal has the phrase "QUÆ SERA TAMEN RESPEXIT", meaning "which though late, looked upon me". The reverse side of the seal depicts the Coat of arms of the United Kingdom.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1767, the seal of the North Carolina Colony was updated. King George II was changed to be King George III, the woman representing liberty was moved to be behind the king, and the woman with the cornucopia was changed to be in the kneeling position. The reverse side of the seal was updated to reflect the new King of Great Britain.<ref name=Carolina/>

  • Seal of the Colony of North Carolina (1730–1767, obverse)
    Seal of the Colony of North Carolina (1730–1767, obverse)
  • Seal of the Colony of North Carolina (1730–1767, reverse)
    Seal of the Colony of North Carolina (1730–1767, reverse)
  • Seal of the Colony of North Carolina (obverse)
    Seal of the Colony of North Carolina (obverse)
  • Error creating thumbnail:
    Seal of the Colony of North Carolina (reverse)

Statehood seals

The first seal of the U.S. state of North Carolina was adopted in 1779. Prior to its adoption, William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, and Thomas Burke were assigned to commission a seal. In 1778, William Tisdale, a silversmith, began work on the seal. The governor of North Carolina used a private seal until the official state seal was finished. The obverse side of the seal depicts a woman wearing a Roman helmet holding a stick with a Phrygian cap. In her other hand is a paper that has CONSTITUTION inscribed on it. Below the woman is the phrase "IN LEGIBUS SALUS", meaning "in laws there is safety". The reverse side of the seal depicts a woman herding a cattle. Below the woman is inscribed "INDEPENDENCE MDCCLXXVI".<ref name=Carolina>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=Journey>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=Symbols>Template:Cite web</ref>

File:North Carolina state coat of arms (illustrated, 1876).jpg
North Carolina state historical coat of arms (illustrated, 1876)
File:US-NBN-NC-state seal detail (type 1) (Series 1882BB reverse) proof.jpg
Seal of North Carolina depicted on the reverse of Series 1882BB National Bank Notes

The current seal of North Carolina was adopted in 1794. The creation of this seal was authorized by the North Carolina General Assembly in January, 1792.<ref name=Carolina/><ref name=Symbols/>

In 1971, the state seal was officially standardized after the state's chief deputy attorney general discovered that there was more than one version of the seal in use.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1983, state senator Julian R. Allsbrook proposed adding the date April 12, 1776 onto the seal, the date of the Halifax Resolves. This proposal was approved by the state legislature and is the current version of the seal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> These two dates are also on the flag of North Carolina.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="History">Template:Cite web</ref>

Many historical depictions of the seal feature a brick wall behind one of the women, though this detail is not described by law.

Government seals of North Carolina

See also

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References

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Further reading

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