2006 Code of Virginia § 1-500 - The great seal

1-500. The great seal.

The great seal of the Commonwealth shall consist of two metallic discs, twoand one-fourth inches in diameter, with an ornamental border one fourth of aninch wide, with such words and figures engraved as follows: On the obverse,Virtus, the genius of the Commonwealth, dressed as an Amazon, resting on aspear in her right hand, point downward, touching the earth; and holding inher left hand, a sheathed sword, or parazonium, pointing upward; her headerect and face upturned; her left foot on the form of Tyranny represented bythe prostrate body of a man, with his head to her left, his fallen crownnearby, a broken chain in his left hand, and a scourge in his right. Abovethe group and within the border conforming therewith, shall be the word"Virginia," and, in the space below, on a curved line, shall be the motto,"Sic Semper Tyrannis." On the reverse, shall be placed a group consistingof Libertas, holding a wand and pileus in her right hand; on her right,Aeternitas, with a globe and phoenix in her right hand; on the left ofLibertas, Ceres, with a cornucopia in her left hand, and an ear of wheat inher right; over this device, in a curved line, the word "Perseverando."

(Code 1950, 7-26; 1966, c. 102, 7.1-26; 2005, c. 839.)