Welcome to GreatSeal.com Here students of America can learn the true story of the emblem created by the founders of the United States to symbolize their revolutionary new nation to the world – and to the future. (Website contents below.) OVERVIEW The only preliminary drawings of the final design for the Great Seal: Artwork by William Barton (May 1782) and Charles Thomson (June 1782) After these were drawn, some revisions were made: • A triangle was placed around the eye of providence. • A date was inscribed on the base of the pyramid. • Two mottoes were chosen for the pyramid side. • The shield's stripes were changed to vertical. But no new drawings were made. And no artwork was submitted to Congress. The official Great Seal of the United States adopted on June 20, 1782 is in the form of a written description only. The first die of the Great Seal was created in Sept. 1782. It had errors, as did subsequent dies. The U.S. government's most accurate version of the Great Seal is the Centennial Medal of 1882: Some of the finest examples of the eagle side are on the back of the Indian Peace Medals given by President Washington in the 1790s. Illustrations of a seal are called "realizations." The first realizations and first color painting were done in 1786. U.S. Department of State's current realizations: The Great Seal's designers provided a brief explanation of its symbolism, however, the more we know about its creation and the meaning of its symbols and its mottoes, the better we can understand why this emblem is as important today as ever before. This includes separating fact from fiction. Unfortunately, most Americans know very little about the symbol that represents them and their nation, and what they do know is often incorrect. First of all, the Great Seal is not a monetary symbol. Neither is it a masonic symbol. REDISCOVER AMERICA Main sections of the site's 76 pages Preliminary DESIGNS America's founders set out to create a symbol worthy of their new nation. See the ideas suggested by three committees. Individual Design Elements: SYMBOLS on the Great Seal Each side's dynamic imagery combines symbols from nature and history. Great Seal MOTTOES Chosen to convey the idea and ideals of America, these three little phrases have big repercussions. Issues Relevant Today: MYTH & Misinformation Is the emblem of America becoming a casualty of lore? Separate fact from fiction. PEACE is a Founding Principle The American Eagle on the Great Seal has always looked toward the olive branch. Great Seal SIGHTINGS American symbols in the news, wise and otherwise. How the Great Seal got on the one-dollar bill in 1935. Find out how seals are used. Look on the bright side of America. VISIT the Great Seal Gift Shop for T-Shirts and Posters. In its 10th year, GreatSeal.com is created and ©2008 by John D. MacArthur. Content is based on the official history of the U.S. Seal. NOTICE: Historical and current government realizations of the Great Seal displayed on this website are not intended to convey an impression of sponsorship or approval by the Government of the United States.