West Virginia State Seal

Great Seal of the State of West Virginia

Adopted on September 26, 1863.

The Great Seal of West Virginia, which is also the Coat of Arms, was adopted by the Legislature on September 26, 1863. It symbolizes the principal pursuits and resources of West Virginia. Described briefly, the Seal bears the legend, "State of West Virginia", together with the motto, "Montani Semper Liberi" (Mountaineers Are Always Free); a farmer stands to the right and a miner to the left of a large ivy-draped rock bearing the date of the State's admission to the Union. In front of the rock are two hunters' rifles upon which rests a Phrygian Cap, or "Cap of Liberty". Joseph H. Diss Debar of Doddridge County designed the State Seal in 1863 at the request of the first West Virginia Legislature.

The state military crest, which is the crest used in the coats of arms of units of the National Guard, as granted by the precursor organizations of what is now the Army Institute of Heraldry. The official Institute of Heraldry blazon is "A slip of mountain rhododendron in full bloom and leaved proper."

West Virginia's state motto comes from the Latin phrase: Montani Semper Liberi which means "Mountaineers are always free". It was proposed by Joseph H. DisDebar who also designed the state seal. The motto is found at the bottom of the state seal.

State Seals

In days when communications were transcribed by hand and tediously undertaken, seals served to authenticate official government documents. In this day of computers and instant communications, seals still serve the same purpose.

great seal
noun

The principal seal of a government or state, with which official documents are are stamped as proof of having been approved or certified

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