Very rare Great Seal of the Confederacy, set of three circa 1873 each cast from the original in gold, silver and bronze finish; retaining original finish. (Very good condition, one case in need of some attention) Diam.3 1/2" *Provenance: The Great Seal of the Confederacy was one of the most important symbols of the Southern nation. In 1861 on 9 February, the Confederate Congress created the Flag and Seal Committee to consider a design for the Seal. In 1863, the House of Representatives viewed for the first time a motif which today adorns the Seal. After feverish debate the design decided upon was a replica of the George Washington equestrian statue in Richmond's Capital Square, encircled by a wreath of the bounties of Southern crops, stalks of sugar cane, cotton and tobacco plants. As for the motto, the Confederates believed that it should echo those of our founding fathers' ideals, and should reflect the feeling of the 18th century newly founded American nation. Many variations were considered, but ultimately "Deo Vindice" (With God as our Defender) was selected. On April 30, 1863 in Congressional Joint Resolution No. 4, signed by President Jefferson Davis the design was approved. The commission for the Seal was sent to the Confederate Diplomat of England, James M. Mason, which included detailed instruction and a photograph of the Washington statue. Mason commissioned Joseph S. Wyon, Chief Engraver of Her Majesty's Seals, to create the Seal in utter secrecy. In April of 1864, Wyon presented Mason with the Great Seal, a 3 5/8" diameter and 3/4" thick sterling disk weighing three pounds troy, along with a press and an abundant supply of wafers, seal papers, strips of parchment, brass boxes, cakes of wax and silk cords. Bringing the Great Seat home was no easy task. Mason committed the fate of the Seal to Lieutenant Robert T. Chapman of the Confederate Navy and his instructions were to throw the Seal overboard in the event of a blockade or capture. On July 6, 1864 the vessel 'Africa' left Liverpool. Guarded by several officers, a box with a leather satchel holding the Seal along with its supplies started its journey to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and then on to St. George, Bermuda aboard the 'Africa'. Failing on several attempts to transfer the Seal, press and supplies, the impatient Chapman pocketed the Seal and boarded a vessel to Wilmington, North Carolina. Secretary of State Judah P. Benjamin was subsequently presented the Great Seal on September 4, 1864. Mason was relieved to hear of the safe arrival, but inquired as to the whereabouts of the press, knowing that the Seal could never be used without it. After the fall of the Confederacy the Seal remained hidden and moved around throughout the South. In 1873, however, an arrangement was made to loan out the Seal and have 1,000 electrotype replicas manufactured in gold, silver, and bronze by New York electrotyper Samuel H. Black. On 15 May 1873, the job was complete. Black signed the Masonic oath of secrecy and received $778 for his work. These were then sold to benefit Southern widows and orphans. It is not known how many of these replicas were actually made or sold. Today we offer at public auction a set of these rare replicas.