| Coat of Arms of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|
| Versions | |
Lesser version as used in the State Seal (not official on its own) |
|
| Details | |
| Armiger | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
| Adopted | 1778 |
| Motto | Virtue, Liberty, and Independence |
The Coat of Arms of Pennsylvania is an official emblem of the State, alongside the Seal and State Flag, and was adopted in 1778.[1] The Pennsylvania coat of arms features a shield crested by an American bald eagle, flanked by horses, and adorned with symbols of Pennsylvania's strengths - a ship carrying state commerce to all parts of the world; a clay-red plough (a symbol of the Pennsylvania's rich natural resources); and three golden sheaves of wheat, representing fertile fields and Pennsylvania's wealth of human thought and action. An olive branch and cornstalk cross limbs beneath - symbols of peace and prosperity. The state motto ("Virtue Liberty and Independendence") appears festooned below.