Coat of arms of Pennsylvania explained

See also: Flag of Pennsylvania and Seal of Pennsylvania.

Coat of arms of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Middle:	Pennsylvania state coat of arms (illustrated, 1876).jpg
Middle Width:	200
Middle Caption:	Historical coat of arms (illustrated, 1876)
Lesser:	Coat of arms of Pennsylvania (seal).svg
Lesser Width:	150
Lesser Caption:	The coat of arms is often used in the form of a "seal"
Image2 Caption:	The coat of arms as it appears on the obverse of the Great Seal.
Armiger:	Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Year Adopted:	1778
Crest:	Bald eagle
Torse:	Gold and White
Shield:	Tierced per fess azure, Or, and vert; in chief a ship at sea proper; in fess a plough proper; in base three sheaves of wheat proper
Supporters:	Horses
Motto:	Virtue, Liberty, and Independence

The coat of arms of Pennsylvania is an official emblem of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, alongside the seal and state flag, and was adopted in 1778.^[1]

Design and symbolism

The Pennsylvania coat of arms features a shield crested by a North American bald eagle, flanked by horses, and adorned with symbols of Pennsylvania's strengths—a ship carrying state commerce to all parts of the world; a clay-red plough, a symbol of Pennsylvania's rich natural resources; and three golden sheaves of wheat, representing fertile fields and Pennsylvania's wealth of human thought and action. An olive branch and cornstalk cross limbs beneath—symbols of peace and prosperity. The state motto, "Virtue, Liberty and Independence", appears festooned below. Atop the coat of arms is a bald eagle, representing Pennsylvania's loyalty to the United States.^{[2] [3]}

History

Pennsylvania’s coat of arms first appeared on paper money issued in 1777. The original design was created by Caleb Lownes of Philadelphia, but the Legislature changed it several times before settling on the current design, which is similar to Lownes’.^[4]

Use

Besides being used by itself, the coat of arms is used on the state flag, many governmental seals of the state, and the flag of the governor.

See also

• Coats of arms of the U.S. states
• Keystone symbol

Notes and References

1. Web site: Pennsylvania Government . July 24, 2011 . State Government. State Symbols USA.
2. Web site: World Flags 101 - Pennsylvania Flags . 2009-01-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200221021618/http://www.worldflags101.com:80/united-states/pennsylvania.aspx . 2020-02-21 . dead .
3. Web site: Symbols of Pennsylvania. 2014-12-16. Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. 2012-04-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20120428225119/http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/things/4280/symbols_of_pennsylvania/478690. dead.
4. Web site: Pennsylvania State Symbols . The Pennsylvania Capitol.