"Society of the Cincinnati, member's certificate. This engraving is a fac simile of a certificate, about one fourth the size of the original, which is thirteen inches and a half in breadth, and twenty inches in length. The originals are printed on fine vellum. The plate was engraved in France by J. J. le Veau, from a drawing by Aug. le Belle. I am indebted to the late James G. Wilson, son of Ensign Wilson, named in the certificate, for the use of the orginal in making this copy. The former was engraved on copper; this is engraved on wood. The design represents American liberty as a strong man armed, bearing in one hand the Union flag, and in the other a naked sword. Beneath his feet are British flags, and a broken spear, shield, and chain. Hovering by his side is the eagle, our national emblem, from whose talons the lightning of destruction is flashing upon the British lion. Britannia, with the crown falling from her head, is hastening toward a boat to escape to a fleet, which denotes the departure of British power from our shore. Upon a cloud, on the right, is an angel blowing a trumpet, from which flutters a loose scroll."—Lossing, 1851

Society of the Cincinnati

"Society of the Cincinnati, member's certificate. This engraving is a fac simile of a certificate, about…

"Order of the Cincinnati. This was drawn from an original in the possession of Edward Phalon, Esq., of New York. The engraving is the exact size of the original. The leaves of the sprigs of laurel are of gold, and green enamel; the head and tail of the eagle gold, and white enamel; and the sky in the center device blue enamel. The device and motto are the same as upon the medallion on the right of the certificate."—Lossing, 1851

Order of the Cincinnati

"Order of the Cincinnati. This was drawn from an original in the possession of Edward Phalon, Esq.,…

A form of a share of bank stock.

Bank Stock

A form of a share of bank stock.

A marriage license from the late 19th century.

Marriage License

A marriage license from the late 19th century.

A marriage certificate from the late 19th century.

Marriage Certificate

A marriage certificate from the late 19th century.

An illustration of a stock certificate.

Stock Certificate

An illustration of a stock certificate.

The College of William and Mary is a public university located in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States. It is the second-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and is one of the original eight institutions known as Public Ivies. William & Mary educated U.S. Presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and John Tyler as well as other key figures important to the development of the nation, including U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall, Speaker of the House Henry Clay and 16 signers of the Declaration of Independence. W&M educated future MIT founder William Barton Rogers. U.S. President George Washington received his surveyor's certificate there and noted legal scholar George Wythe was both an early student and, later, the first head of W&M's law school.

William and Mary College (1723)

The College of William and Mary is a public university located in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States.…