Name/Title
Certificate, CommemorativeEntry/Object ID
1996.017.0005Scope and Content
Certificate - State of California, Department of State
The Great Seal of the State of California
Adopted September 29, 1849 by the Convention which framed the Constitution of the State of California.
It originally cost $1,000 and was designed by Maj. R. S. Garnett
He described the Seat this way:
Around the bend of the ring are represented thirty-one stars, being the number of states of which the union will consist upon the admission of California. The foreground figure represents the Goddess Minerva having sprung full grown from the brain of Jupiter. She is introduced as a type of political birth of the State of California, without having gone through the probation of a territory. At her feet crouches a grizzly bear, feeding upon the clusters from a grapevine, emblematic of the country's peculiar characteristics. The sheat of wheat and bunch of grapes were adoped as emblems of the Agricultural and Horticultural interests of the State. A miner is engaged, with his rocker and bowl at his side, illustrating the golden wealth of the Sacramento, upon whose watrs is seen shipping typical of commercial greatness; and the snow-clad peaks of the Sierra Nevada make up the background, while above is the Greek motto, "Eureka" (I have found it) applying either to the principle involved in the admission of the State or the success of the miner at work.
There is also a description of the State Flag, The Bear Flag.
The Certificate was given to Mr. O. H. Singler
828 First Street
Benicia California
on April 19, 1930 by the then Secretary of State
at the bottom is typed: The truth about
California is good enough "Good Luck"
California State Printing Office 68590 6-29
size: 11" x 19"
There is a gold seal with a blue ribbon underneath and
a 6-1/2" x 4-1/2" color drawing of some Golden Poppies, the State Flower of California.Collection
Benicia Historical Museum Collection
