The Best and the Worst of the 50 State Seals, Part 1

I had a lot of fun ranking the 50 state flags and then the 50 state quarters. Now it's time to tackle the state seals! 

The design of a state seal serves a completely different purpose than state flags or state quarters do. Unlike a state flag (which is usually viewed outdoors, at a distance, and thus should be simple in design, completely unique, and readily identifiable in all weather conditions) or a state quarter (always viewed up close, with the reverse design serving no real purpose other than to delight collectors and thus make money for the government), a state seal is used to authenticate official documents, government buildings, and other state property. It is not nearly as important that the design be unique or readily identifiable. 

State seals typically include images, symbols, and mottos that represent the history, identity, and values of that state. Most states have have official full-color and single-color versions. Variations of the seal are used for different governmental departments or positions. Some states have updated their seals multiple times over the course of their history; others are using the same seal as when they received statehood (or earlier). 

I will be grading each seal on scale of 0-10. I am considering two factors: 

• Does the seal have an aesthetically pleasing design that makes good use of the space? (5 points)
• Does the seal's design represent the history, identity, and values of the state? (5 points)

I'll be looking at the states alphabetically, so let's get started with Alabama. 

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Rating the State Seals: Alabama through Georgia

Alabama's seal was adopted in 1939. It features one of Alabama's most important resources, its major rivers, presented in a map of the state. I like that. I'm not particularly fond of anything else about the seal. I don't love the colors. It seems really weird to include other states in your state seal (although I'm amused that the Gulf of Mexico is labeled). I was not able to find any meaning the six stars; I assume they're just decorative. I'd rather see 11 smaller stars on each side, representing that Alabama is the 22nd state. 

Design 2, Representation 1 = 3

Alaska's state seal has been in use since 1910, long before statehood in 1959. The seal features the natural beauty of Alaska (the Northern Lights, mountains, forests, and waterways) and its industry (mining, railroads, shipping, timber, agriculture, and fishing). Overall, I like the design and the colors are nice. It represents the state very well. I question including train tracks that extend onto a short wooden pier (that doesn't seem safe) and I'm not sure why the close ship is entirely in silhouette. I wish the seal and fish were a little clearer on the dark blue background. While I'm fine with the font, the spacing of the words and the inconsistent kerning are pretty bad.  

Design 3, Representation 5 = 8

Arizona adopted its state seal at the time of statehood in 1912. I'm impressed; it looks surprisingly modern. I love the colors and how well they represent Arizona. The overall design is interesting and very well well-balanced. The design features each of Arizona's "Five C's" - copper, cattle, cotton, citrus, and climate, as well as the state motto and the date of admission. If I have to criticize anything, I would tweak the font slightly since some letters are heavier than others (compare the O and N in Arizona). But that is such a small detail that you can go ahead and forget that I even mentioned it. I love this seal. 

Design 5, Representation 5 = 10 

The state seal of Arkansas was adopted in 1907. It features an eagle with a scroll, arrows, and an olive branch (just like the Great Seal of the US), both an angel and a goddess, a circle of rays, a sword, and a shield with a steamboat, beehive, plow, and wheat. That is a lot of elements. And unfortunately, they don't say "Arkansas" to me. The design doesn't feel relevant to the state today, nor does it convey much about the state's history. I don't love the colors, nor the empty spot at the bottom of the text, where the date of admission would fit perfectly. The more I look at this seal, the less I like it. 

Design 1, Representation 0.5 = 1.5 

California's seal was adopted in 1849, with several minor changes since then. The seal features a grizzly bear (California's state animal), grapevines (representing the wine industry), grain (representing agriculture), a minor (representing the Gold Rush), and sailing ships (representing economic power). The goddess Athena is there because she was born an adult, just like California became a state without being a territory first. The seal shows the state motto and 31 stars, representing its admission as the 31st state. There's no question that the seal represents the state well. Overall, I like the design, the colors, and the decorative border. 

Design 4.5, Representation 5 = 9.5

The Colorado state seal was adopted in 1861 when Colorado was a territory; after statehood in 1876, they changed the text to "State" and added the date. The design features the Eye of Providence (just like the dollar bill), a Roman fasces (used to inflict punishment, symbolizing strength and authority), a shield with mountains and miner's tools, and a scroll with the state motto. The design of the seal is very well balanced and aesthetically pleasing, but I'd like it a lot better with more emphasis on the mountains and other natural beauty of the state and less on the Eye and the weapon. 

Design 4, Representation 3 = 7

The state seal of Connecticut has been unchanged since 1784 and is the only non-circular seal among the 50 states. It features three grapevines, thought to represent the first settlements in Connecticut. The large text translates to "Seal of the Republic of Connecticut." The text on the banner is the state motto, which means "He who transplanted sustains." While I appreciate the unique shape, that's about all I like about this seal. It's not particularly attractive and the colors are uninspired. Other than the state motto, it doesn't particularly represent Connecticut which, incidentally, is not a Republic. 

Design 0.5, Representation 0.5 = 1

Delaware's state seal has been modified four times in its nearly 250-year history, most recently in 2004. The wheat, corn, ox, and farmer represent the importance of agriculture and animal husbandry in Delaware. The blue stripe represents the Delaware River; together with the ship, it highlights the importance of the ship-building industry and coastal commerce. The rifleman acknowledges the critical role of citizens to maintain liberty, which is echoed in the state motto that appears below their feet. The three dates are the most significant in Delaware history: when the First General Assembly was established (1704); when Delaware joined the other colonies in declaring independence from Great Britain (1776); and when Delaware became the first state to ratify the US Constitution (1787). I don't love the design (particularly the floating ship, the river placed above the ox's head, and the not-attractive color choices), but I love how much symbolism there is and how well it represents so many facets of the state. 

Design - 2.5, Representation 5 = 7.5

The current version of the Florida state seal was adopted in 1985. It features a Seminole woman, a steamboat, a sabal palm (the state tree), and the state motto. This version fixed errors that were present in previous versions of the seal. While I don't hate the design, I don't especially like it either. Although, that might be largely due to the color palette and the horizontal lines throughout the design. 

Design 3, Representation 3.5 = 6.5

The state seal of Georgia was adopted in 1798; since then, the only modification that has been made is changing the date on the seal from 1799 to 1776. The design features an arch (representing the Georgia State Constitution), supported by pillars of Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation (representing the three branches of government). The militiaman shows that Georgia is ready to defend these principles. Georgia's state seal is one of very few that is 2-sided, but for this series I'm only grading the side that is most commonly used. The design is not terrible, but it's not in any way unique to Georgia (all states have a constitution and three branches of government, and 1776 relates to American Independence). Blue and gold are a classic pairing, but they're not the state colors. 

Design: 2.5, Representation 0.5 = 3

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So in order, we have Arizona (10), California (9.5), Alaska (8), Delaware (7.5), Colorado (7), Florida (6.5), Alabama (3), Georgia (3), Arkansas (1.5), and Connecticut (1). Let me know in the comments if you agree with my rankings. Tomorrow I'll look at the next ten seals.