Sunderland gained city status in the fortieth year of Queen Elizabeth's reign, and each saltire supposedly represents ten years of that reign. However, in the definitive painting, on the letters patent, the each crown has two and two half-saltires visible. Usually this implies another two and two half-saltires on the invisible half of the circlet. When used by the council the crowns have four full saltires visible. Although the traditional sextant, as a reminder of Sunderland's shipping history has been lost, the supporters and crest still retain the reminders of the inland areas of the city.