Great Seal of Pennsylvania

Overview, symbolism, history and use of Pennsylvania's two-sided Great Seal, including its obverse design, less-used reverse, official role, and common misconceptions.

Overview

The Great Seal of Pennsylvania is the official emblem used to authenticate acts of state. Unlike most U.S. state seals, Pennsylvania's design includes a distinct front (obverse) and back (reverse). The seal appears on formal documents, commissions and certain public records and is a visible representation of the government's authority.

Design and symbolism

The obverse panel displays agricultural and commercial imagery: a ship under sail, a plough and sheaves of grain. The ship commonly stands for trade and Philadelphia's maritime importance, the plough represents agriculture and labor, and the wheat sheaves signify fertility and abundance. Around the central image is an outer legend that historically reads "Seal of the State of Pennsylvania," a wording that has persisted despite the state's formal designation as a commonwealth.

Key elements at a glance:

Philadelphia: represented by the ship, indicating early commercial links.
Wheat: sheaves or ears of grain symbolize agricultural prosperity.
Plough: stands for farming, industry and the commonwealth's rural economy.

Reverse and distinctions

The reverse side of the seal features allegorical and heraldic figures related to law, liberty and the state's coat of arms; it is used far less frequently than the obverse. Pennsylvania is notable for keeping both faces in official usage, a practice not shared by every state. Over time, inaccurate or joking inscriptions have circulated in popular accounts; for example, the claim that the reverse bears the phrase "Both Can't Survive" is a modern falsehood and not part of the official design.

History and custody

The Great Seal dates from the era of the American Revolution and the early republic, when states established distinctive devices to validate public instruments. The design has been modified and standardized by successive administrations. Custody of the seal rests with state officials: copies are kept for official business and the master seal is controlled by the office charged with recordkeeping and executive formalities, sometimes referred to as the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Uses and importance

The seal authenticates executive orders, commissions, proclamations and certain certificates; impressions or reproductions appear on public papers to show they are genuine. It also functions as a cultural symbol, related closely to the state's coat of arms and flag, and appears in ceremonial contexts. Because the seal confers legal formality, its appearance and reproduction are regulated to prevent misuse.

For more detailed images, reproductions and official guidance, consult state publications or authorized reproductions produced by the commonwealth's archives and record offices.

See also: state seal resources and archival materials linked by agencies that manage Pennsylvania's official symbols. Additional references and reproductions are available through government and historical repositories for those researching design variations or provenance.