Great Seal > Symbols > MDCCLXXVI

MDCCLXXVI – The Date at the Base of the Pyramid
on the Great Seal of the United States

MDCCLXXVI is 1776 in Roman numerals. This date was suggested by the first Great Seal committee (1776) who placed it along the lower edge of a circle surrounding their design.

Roman numerals decoded:
M = 1000
D = 500
C = 100
L = 50
X = 10
V = 5
I = 1

To decipher "MDCCLXXVI, simply add the numbers:

1000 + 500 + 100 + 100 + 50 + 10 + 10 + 5 + 1 = 1776

For the final Seal, Charles Thomson put this date on the reverse side. The Great Seal's official description says: "On the base of the pyramid are the numerical letters MDCCLXXVI and underneath, the following motto – novus ordo seclorum."

Thomson explained the symbolism: "The date underneath is that of the Declaration of Independence and the words under it signify the beginning of the new American Æra, which commences from that date."

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