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How to identify states from their state seals
Instructions - Start with 1. Click on appropriate answers and choose between succeeding choices. State abbreviations are linked to pages which show and discuss the seal for that state. Most states have statutes that forbid exact replication of state seals (aka coats of arms.) Therefore, state seal designs on certificates can be highly variable but they always retain central design elements. Some certificates display city or provincial seals; occasionally, some appear similar to the state seals listed below.
| 1 | a - people are visible (not hidden in details) | |
| b - no people are visible | ||
| 2 | a - George Washington | WA |
| b - two people flank shield | ||
| c - farmer and miner flank boulder | WV | |
| d - other people or other positions | ||
| 3 | a - patterned designs on shield | |
| b - cow on shield (kneeling or standing) | ||
| c - other elements on shield | ||
| 4 | a - eagle below shield | HI |
| b - crown above shield | MD | |
| 5 | a - tree on shield | ME |
| b - sailing ship above shield | DE | |
| 6 | a - deer above shield | ID |
| b - three plows on shield | NJ | |
| c - eagle above shield | NY | |
| d - badger above shield | WI | |
| 7 | a - birds or animals visible | |
| b - no birds or animals visible | ||
| 8 | a - eagle | |
| b - bison (running) | ||
| c - horses with plow | ||
| d - bear in foreground | ||
| 9 | a - angel left, eagle behind shield | AR |
| b - man with flag | IA | |
| c - three people visible | WY | |
| 10 | a - man chops tree | IN |
| b - Indian chases bison | ND | |
| 11 | a - horses pull plow right to left | KS |
| b - horses pull plow left to right | SD | |
| 12 | a - female warrior (usually at right) with bay beyond | CA |
| b - prospector (usually at left) with dam beyond | AZ | |
| 13 | a - one person visible | |
| b - two people visible | ||
| 14 | a - a train is visible | NE |
| b - a tree is visible | ||
| c - other | ||
| 15 | a - person watches ship | FL |
| b - female holds branch | SC | |
| 16 | a - militia man with sword | GA |
| b - Indian with bow | MA | |
| 17 | a - two friends shake hands | KY |
| b - Indian on horseback, man plowing | MN | |
| c - standing Liberty and Plenty with cornucopia | NC | |
| d - female warrior stands above conquered enemy | VA | |
| 18 | a - animals visible | |
| b - no animals visible | ||
| 19 | a - animals flank a shield | |
| b - animals do not flank shield | ||
| 20 | a - two standing deer | MI |
| b - two standing bears | MO | |
| c - two standing horses | PA | |
| 21 | a - cow or oxen | |
| b - pelican | LA | |
| c - eagle | ||
| 22 | a - cows pull covered wagon | OR |
| b - scraggly pine tree and two sheaves of wheat | VT | |
| 23 | a - eagle with shield looks left, holds ribbon | IL |
| b - eagle with arrows | MS | |
| c - two eagles (American and Mexican) | NM | |
| d - eagle above covered wagon | OR | |
| e - eagle above beehive | UT | |
| 24 | a - map is central element | AL |
| b - large star is central element | ||
| c - mountain scene visible | ||
| d - other central element | ||
| 25 | a - plain star, possible with wreath around bottom | TX |
| b - star with Indian paraphernalia and designs | OK | |
| 26 | a - mountain and crossed mining picks on shield | CO |
| b - ship on bay | AK | |
| c - mill in foreground | NV | |
| d - standing sheaf of wheat and arrows | OH | |
| e - waterfall visible | MT | |
| 27 | a - three vines (often looks like trees) | CT |
| b - ship with sails furled | NH | |
| c - anchor (usually with Hope) | RI | |
| d - plow above ship (usually with Agriculture and Commerce) | TN |
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If they do not carry, or are
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