Seal of the Confederacy

Cast iron "Seal of the Confederacy". Click picture for details. (SOLD)

Seal of the Confederacy. It is cast iron and has a diameter of 7” and is about ¼” thick. The Great Seal of the Confederate States of America was engraved in 1864, by Joseph S. Wyon, of London, England, chief engraver of Her British Majesty's seals. It reached Richmond not long before the evacuation of the city, April 3, 1865.

It was of silver, and in diameter measured nearly four inches. The seal prominently features the likeness of George Washington on horseback, in the same position as a statue of him in Richmond, Virginia. Washington is surrounded with a wreath, which is made of some of the main agricultural products of the Confederate States, including tobacco and cotton. The margin of the seal features the words "The Confederate States of America: 22 February 1862" and the national motto, Deo Vindice ("God will vindicate"). The date on the seal represents when Jefferson Davis was inaugurated after the first and only Confederate general election, and is also Washington's birthday. Being that the seal was designed shortly before the demise of the Confederacy, it apparently was never used in any official capacity. This large seal is in very nice condition and it has two mounting holes on either side of the horse. (SOLD)