Seal of Colorado
The Great Seal of the State of Colorado is an adaptation of the Territorial Seal which was established by the first Territorial Assembly on November 6, 1861.
Description
The only changes that have been made to this seal compared to the current version, is the insertion of the words "State of Colorado " and " 1876 " for the corresponding locations on the territorial seal. The first General Assembly of Colorado took this altered seal on March 15, 1877. Only the staff responsible for the external affairs minister of Colorado is authorized to affix the seal to any document.
It is determined that the seal has two and a half inches in diameter and includes the following elements:
The uppermost, within a triangle, is the eye of providence or " All Seeing Eye", from which stylized rays of light extend to the left and right. Below the eye is a scroll, the fasces, a bundle of birch or elm wood along with a battle ax. This is held together by ligaments.
On a red, white and blue ribbon to find the words " Union and Constitution".
The bundle of rods symbolizing the strength that is missing from the single rod. The ax stands for authority and leadership.
Below is a Heraldikschild standing on a red background depicting three mountains with snowy peaks and clouds in its upper half. The lower half illustrates two typical miner's tools, the pick and sledge hammer, is arranged crossed on a golden background.
Below the shield is located in a semi-circle the Latin motto "Nil Sine Numine " to German " Nothing without God ". At the bottom you will find the year 1876, the year in which a full-fledged state of Colorado was.
The design of the territorial seal, which served as a template for the state seal, has been attributed to various people, but the individual who was the main reason why was Lewis Ledyard Weld territorial chief, who had been appointed in July 1861 by President Abraham Lincoln. There is also evidence that Territorial Governor William Gilpin has at least partially been working with the design. Both Weld and Gilpin were knowledgeable in the fields of art and heraldry. Elements of the family coat of arms of Weld and Gilpin can be reflected in the seal.