new york

The Great Seal of New York was first established in 1777 to act as the official seal of the state. In 1778 a second form was completed that included a a full coat of arms. In 1882 a final law was adopted describing the seal as designed in 1778.

New York’s seal features the state’s official Coat of Arms encircled by the words “The Great Seal of the State of New York”. The Coat of Arms is crested by an American eagle, wings outstretched. The eagle stands upon a globe, showing the North Atlantic Ocean. The female figures of Liberty and Justice stand upon a scroll that proclaims “Excelsior”, or “Ever Upward”. Liberty and Justice frame a scene of two ships on a river, with the sun gloriously rising above the mountains.