Great Seal > History > First Realizations
First Realizations of the Great Seal
These engravings by James Trenchard were published in Columbian Magazine (Philadelphia). The obverse side in September 1786 and the reverse side in October. They are the first realizations made of the Great Seal and are accurately based on the official 1782 description of the Great Seal.
The original form of the Great Seal is a written description that uses heraldic language to precisely describe the appearance of the imagery. Called a "blazon," it is the starting point for creating an accurate die or illustration of the Great Seal.
An illustration based on the blazon is called a "realization." An artist's realization of the Great Seal therefore begins in the mind's eye where this image described by America's founders is envisioned, then drawn.
Think of a realization as somewhat like a singer's version of a song based on the songwriter's original sheet music. Interpretations naturally will vary. (Did somebody say the Star-Spangled Banner?)
The problem is, many illustrations and dies are not based on the original Great Seal blazon. Instead, they are derived from other realizations or dies that may be inaccurate. For example, most Great Seal dies copied an error in the first die which did not show the rays of light breaking through a cloud as specified in the blazon.
The 1882 Centennial Medal is the most accurate version of the Great Seal
made by the U.S. Government (and only time a die for the reverse side was cut).
Indian Peace Medals given by President Washington
are among the finest examples of the obverse side.
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