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Seal of Rhode Island

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See also: Coat of arms of Rhode Island
Seal of the State of Rhode Island
ArmigerState of Rhode Island
MottoHope

The Seal of the State of Rhode Island features a blue field with a golden maritime anchor as its central image below the phrase "HOPE". The anchor has been used as a symbol for Rhode Island since the colony's founding in 1636, well before the region claimed statehood.

History

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Rhode Island was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, a Christian minister, Anne Hutchinson, and others seeking religious freedom from persecution in Massachusetts and Europe. The seal's words and emblems were likely inspired by the biblical phrase "hope we have as an anchor of the soul," found in Hebrews, Verse 6:18-19.[1] After Roger Williams received an official charter in England in 1644, the word "Hope" was placed over the seal's anchor and still remains.[2] The outer circle of the seal reads Seal of the State of Rhode Island 1636.

Besides the seal, Roger Williams also used Biblical virtues when he named Providence, Rhode Island, and the islands in Narragansett Bay: Prudence Island, Patience Island, Hope Island, and Despair Island.

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The seal has been adopted by successive Rhode Island government authorities since 1644. The current (2021) General Laws enactment asserts:

A 1786 Rhode Island bank note featuring the Rhode Island seal with the inscription: "STATE OF RHODE-ISLAND, &c. THIS Bill is equal to THIRTY SHILLINGS in Lawful Silver Money, and shall be received in all Payments within this State, agreeable to an Act passed by the GENERAL ASSEMBLY of said State, at their May Sessions, holden at the City of Newport, A. D. 1786. 1l 10s." ; "Committee" is written vertically, to the right of the signatures. ; Within seal: "DOMINE: SPERAMUS: IN: TE:" ; Verso: "One Pound Ten. Printed by SOUTHWICK and BARBER. Death to Counterfeit."
A 1786 Rhode Island bank note featuring the seal.

§ 42-4-2 State seal. – There shall continue to be one seal for the public use of the state; the form of an anchor shall be engraved thereon; the motto thereof shall be the word "Hope"; and in a circle around the outside shall be engraved with the words, "Seal of the State of Rhode Island, 1636".[3]

Historical seals

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  • Rhode Island Seal in 1647, used in the colonial records[4]
    Rhode Island Seal in 1647, used in the colonial records[4]
  • The seal used on Rhode Island pounds in the late 18th century
    The seal used on Rhode Island pounds in the late 18th century
  • Rhode Island Seal variation used in 1853
    Rhode Island Seal variation used in 1853
  • Previous version before the state name change in 2021 referendum
    Previous version before the state name change in 2021 referendum
  • Illustration of historical version with starburst
    Illustration of historical version with starburst

Government seals

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Howard M. Chapin notes published in "Illustrations Of The Seals, Arms And Flags Of Rhode Island," (Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence: 1930) pg 4-5.
  2. ^ Benjamin F. Shearer, State Names, Seals, Flags, and Symbols: A Historical Guide, (Greenwood Publishing Group, 2002), pg. 22 [1]
  3. ^ Rhode Island General Laws, § 42-4-2 "State seal."[2] (accessed January 25, 2021)
  4. ^ "Historic Seals of Rhode Island," Symbols & Emblems of Rhode Island[3] (accessed January 5, 2008)
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