Antique American Brass Desk Wax Seal - Southern District of Florida

Seal Detail

Large circular brass matrix, the reverse with mounting spigot for press machine, the obverse engraved with the central pastoral scene of a three mast ship under way and in the background, a lighthouse and palm tree with palm tree and other native flora in the foreground.  Motto above reading:

FIAT JUSTITIA (Let justice be done)

and circumscription reading:

DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES * SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA *

The seal of the District Court in Florida.  On the same day that Florida was admitted as a state, March 3, 1845, Congress enacted legislation creating the United States District Court for the District of Florida.  On February 23, 1847, this District was subdivided into Northern and Southern Districts, presumably the date that this seal was created.

Seal Specification

Height: 7mm (0.27")

Width of matrix: 60mm (2.36")

Weight: 178g (7oz)