Symbols and Emblems

These items in NMAD's collection include symbols and emblems used in diplomacy.

Showing 11–20 of 29 results

  • Item

    Consular Wax Seal Stamp

    This device was used for making wax impressions of the Great Seal at U.S. Consulate General Hamburg, Germany until 2007 when the consular section of the Consulate closed.

  • Item

    Charred Great Seal

    Protesters in Belgrade, Serbia, attacked and set fire to the U.S. embassy on February 21, 2008, in response to U.S. support for Kosovo's independence. A large rally of Serbs, vowing to retake the neighboring territory which is viewed as Serbia's religious and national heartland, preceded the attack on the embassy. This seal, which…

  • Item

    Order of Merit of Berlin

    This high German honor was presented to Ambassador Harry Gilmore, U.S. Minister to Berlin, in 1991 for “outstanding contributions to the state of Berlin.” The medallion is in the shape of the Maltese cross with the coat of arms of Berlin in center. Gilmore was the last person to occupy the position.…

  • Item

    Secretary Albright's Commission

    Duplicate of the original appointment commission for Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, dated January 23, 1997 and signed by President Bill Clinton and Acting Secretary of State Peter Tarnoff.

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    U.S. Ambassador's Car Flags

    These car flags were used on official vehicles carrying the ambassador during Edward Marks’ service as U.S. Ambassador to Guinea-Bissa from 1977-1980.

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    Secretary Powell's Commission

    Duplicate of the original appointment commission for Secretary of State Colin Powell, dated January 20, 2021, and signed by President George W. Bush and Acting Secretary of State Alan Larson.

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    Secretary Rice's Commission

    Duplicate of the original appointment commission for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, dated January 26, 2005, and signed by President George W. Bush and Acting Secretary of State Marc Grossman.

  • Item

    Peace Corps Suriname T-Shirt

    While serving as U.S. Ambassador to Suriname from 1993-1996, Ambassador Roger Gamble successfully advocated for creating and funding a Peace Corps program in the country. The first Peace Corps volunteers arrived in 1995 and made these t-shirts to commemorate their status as "First in Suriname".

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    U.S. Embassy Taipei Stamp

    From 1949 to 1979, U.S. official diplomatic relations with China were based in Taipei, Formosa (Taiwan). Years after Nixon’s opening with mainland China in 1972, the United States recognized and established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China on January 1, 1979. The U.S.…

  • Item

    Michael Metrinko's Medal of Valor

    Before the Iran hostage crisis began on November 9, 1979, American diplomats in Iran faced the ongoing challenges of serving during the Iranian revolution, which had been unfolding since early 1978. Michael Metrinko, who was the U.S. Consul in Tabriz, Iran faced a chaotic and violent situation in early 1979. Metrinko opted…