West Virginia State Seal - History, Symbolism, and Official Use #317158 (License: Personal Use)

The West Virginia state seal features two central figures-a farmer holding an axe and a miner with a pickaxe-flanking a boulder inscribed “June 20, 1863,” the date of statehood. Below them lie crossed rifles and a liberty cap, while the outer ring bears the text “State of West Virginia” and the Latin motto “Montani Semper Liberi” (Mountaineers Are Always Free). The design reflects the state’s agrarian and industrial roots and its commitment to independence during the Civil War.

This image is used on government websites, educational resources, legal documents, and historical articles about West Virginia. It serves users seeking official state symbols, civic education, or background on U.S. statehood history.