National Arms of Costa Rica

From Heraldry of the World
Jump to navigation Jump to search

NATIONAL ARMS OF COSTA RICA

Arms (crest) of National Arms of Costa Rica
Official blazon
English blazon wanted

Origin/meaning

The arms were designed in 1848 and adopted on September 29, 1848. The arms were changed in 1906, 1964, and 1998.

The arms basically show the country between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, a rising sun, two merchant ships and three volcanoes.

The initial design showed the arms surrounded by military weapons, flags and cornucopia, which were removed in 1906. In 1964 two additional stars were added, as the number of provinces increased from 5 to 7. In 1998 the only addition was to add smoke from the volcanoes, to distinguish them from ordinary mountains.

After the independence of Costa Rica in 1840, the new country initially used a seal with a star. Only in 1848 the official State Arms were designed.

Costarica1840.jpg

The seal from 1840
Costarica1848.jpg

The arms from 1848
Costarica1.jpg

The arms from 1906
Costarica1964.jpg

The arms from 1964

Use of arms in collector's items

The four versions of the arms on coins :

Cr-c1.jpg

The arms on a coin from 1855
Cr-c2.jpg

The arms on a coin from 1937
Cr-c3.jpg

The arms on a coin from 1978
Cr-c4.jpg

The arms on a coin from 2000
Costarica1.kh.jpg
The arms on a Dutch trade card, around 1905
Costarica.hel.jpg
The arms on a US trade card, 1900s
Costarica.mor.jpg
The arms on a UK tobacco card, 1917
Costarica.rv.jpg
The arms on a Danish tobacco card, 1925
Costarica.vgi.jpg
The arms on a Dutch matchbox label, 1960s
Costarica.cana.jpg
The arms on a Spanish cigar band, 1980s (?)

Contact and Support

Partners:

Your logo here ?
Contact us



© since 1995, Heraldry of the World, Ralf Hartemink Ralf Hartemink arms.jpg
Index of the site

Literature :