| Created By: |
uncle mikey Jun 20, 2008
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| Description: |
The Great Seal of the United States was adopted by a 1782 resolution describing the image on the reverse as "A pyramid unfinished. In the zenith an eye in a triangle, surrounded by a glory, proper." There are numerous arcane references to the 13 original states, including the pyramid layers, the ribbon folds, and the number of letters in two of the three mottoes on the two sides of the seal. The date inscribed on its base in Roman numerals is MDCCLXXVIM (1776). Two mottoes appear on the reverse: Annuit Coeptis signifies that the Eye of Providence has "approved of (our) undertakings": Novus Ordo Seclorum means "New Order of the Ages". The phrase is taken from the fourth Eclogue of Virgil, which reads: "The last time of prophecy has come to the Cumaean Sibyl; a brand new great order of the ages is born; for now the Virgin and the age of Saturn have returned; now a new Child has been sent from the heavens." The reverse has been printed on the back of the American dollar bill since 1935. |
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