Great Seal of the United States of this number is a common motif in the seal. The official description of the seal states that there should be thirteen stars in the "glory" above the eagle's head, thirteen stripes on the shield, and thirteen arrows in the eagle's talon. The initial description of the reverse specified thirteen [[step pyramid|levels to the pyramid]], and though the number was left out of the final version, all depictions typically still show thirteen levels. Also by custom, since 1885 there are thirteen leaves and thirteen olives on the olive branch. [[File:GreatSealPress.jpg|thumb|The press and cabinet, made in 1903]] In the Department of
Great Seal of the Confederate States of America Great Seal of the Confederate States of America The Great Seal of the Confederate States of America, formally the Seal of the Confederate States, was used to authenticate certain documents issued by the C.S. government. The phrase is used both for the physical seal itself (which was kept by the C.S. Secretary of State), and more generally for the design impressed upon it. On May 20, 1863, Secretary of State Judah Benjamin instructed James Mason to arrange for its manufacture in London. It was first used publicly in 1864. The seal prominently features George Washington on horseback, in the same