Image: FirstCommitteeGreatSealReverseLossingDrawing

Description: Interpretation of the first committee's design for the reverse of the Great Seal of the United States in 1776, which was never used. This was Benjamin Franklin's design, originally suggested for the obverse, but the committee chose Pierre Eugene du Simitiere's design for that side. This interpretation was made in 1856 by Benson J. Lossing. Franklin's design was: Moses standing on the Shore, and extending his Hand over the Sea, thereby causing the same to overwhelm Pharaoh who is sitting in an open Chariot, a Crown on his Head and a Sword in his Hand. Rays from a Pillar of Fire in the Clouds reaching to Moses, to express that he acts by Command of the Deity. Motto, "Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God." Thomas Jefferson, a member of the committee, liked the motto enough to later use it on his personal seal.
Title: FirstCommitteeGreatSealReverseLossingDrawing
Credit: Extracted from PDF version of Symbols of the Great Seal poster, part of a U.S. Diplomacy Center (State Department) exhibition on the 225th anniversary of the Great Seal. Direct PDF URL [1] (18MB) Scanned from The Eagle and the Shield by Patterson and Dougall, page 21 Originally printed in The New Harper's Magazine, Volume 13, Issue 74, July 1856, page 180, article Great Seal of the United States by Benson J. Lossing
Author: Benson John Lossing
Permission: The U.S. Diplomacy Center exhibition page states All materials in this exhibition are in the public domain and can be reproduced without permission. Citation of this source is appreciated.
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No