Seal of Rhode Island

The Seal of the State of Rhode Island features a blue field with a golden maritime anchor as its central image below the phrase "HOPE".

The anchor has been used as a symbol for Rhode Island since the colony's founding in 1636, well before the region claimed statehood.

Rhode Island was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, a Christian minister, Anne Hutchinson, and others seeking religious freedom from persecution in Massachusetts and Europe.

The seal's words and emblems were likely inspired by the biblical phrase "hope we have as an anchor of the soul," found in Hebrews, Verse 6:18-19.

[1] After Roger Williams received an official charter in England in 1644, the word "Hope" was placed over the seal's anchor and still remains.

A 1786 Rhode Island bank note featuring the Rhode Island seal with the inscription: "STATE OF RHODE-ISLAND, &c. THIS Bill is equal to THIRTY SHILLINGS in Lawful Silver Money, and shall be received in all Payments within this State, agreeable to an Act passed by the GENERAL ASSEMBLY of said State, at their May Sessions, holden at the City of Newport, A. D. 1786. 1l 10s." ; "Committee" is written vertically, to the right of the signatures. ; Within seal: "DOMINE: SPERAMUS: IN: TE:" ; Verso: "One Pound Ten. Printed by SOUTHWICK and BARBER. Death to Counterfeit."
A 1786 Rhode Island bank note featuring the seal.