The Great Seal of the United States of America

OBSERVE

REVERSE

Do you know why they chose these images?

OBVERSE: The American bald eagle is prominently featured supporting a shield composed of 13 red and white stripes (pales) representing the Thirteen Original States with a blue bar (chief) uniting the shield and representing Congress. The motto of the United States, E. Pluribus Unum (meaning out of many, one) refers to this union. The olive branch and 13 arrows grasped by the eagle allude to peace and war, powers solely vesting in the Congress, and the constellation of stars symbolized the new Nation taking its place among the sovereign powers.

REVERSE: The pyramid signifies strength and duration: The eye over it and the motto, Annuit Coeptis (meaning He, [God] favored our undertakings), allude to the many interventions of Providence in favor of the American cause. The Roman numerals below are the date of the Declaration of Independence. The word under it, Novus Ordo Seclorum (meaning a new order of the ages), signify the beginning of the new American era in 1776.