New York Consolidated Laws, Judiciary Law - JUD § 30-b. Seal of New York county and of the county clerk and the supreme court

1. The county of New York, the county clerk of said county and the supreme court therein, shall have and use the following seal:

The seal shall be approximately two and one-quarter inches in diameter and shall consist of two concentric circles.  The upper part of the space between such circles shall be inscribed with the words, in capital letters, “COUNTY OF NEW YORK,” and in the lower part shall be inscribed “NOVEMBER 1, 1683,” and such seal, further, shall bear the following:

Arms:  Upon a shield, saltire wise, the sails of a windmill.  Between the sails, in chief a beaver, in base a beaver, and on each flank a flour barrel.

Supporters:  Dexter, a sailor, his right arm bent, and holding in his right hand a plummet;  his left arm bent, his left hand resting on the top of the shield;  above his right shoulder a cross-staff.  Sinister, an Indian of Manhattan, his right arm bent, his right hand resting on top of the shield, his left hand holding the upper end of a bow, the lower end of which rests on the ground.  Shield and supporters resting upon a horizontal laurel branch.

Date:  Beneath the horizontal laurel branch the date 1664, being the year of the capture of New Amsterdam by the English and the first use of the name of the city of New York.

Crest:  Upon a hemisphere, an American eagle with wings displayed.

Legend:  Upon a ribbon encircling the lower half of the design the words “Sigillum Civitatis Novi Eboraci”.

The following is an enlarged pictograph of said seal:

2. The county clerk of New York county shall cause the design of said seal (in black and white) to be engraved upon metal.  From time to time he shall obtain and make available, and keep in good order and repair as many of such engraved metal seals as may be necessary for the proper performance of the duties of his office and of the duties of the clerks and officers in the supreme court authorized to use said seal.  All the expense incurred by the county clerk incident to said seal shall be a county charge against the county of New York.

3. Such seal shall be used and affixed only:  (a) by the county clerk of New York county or by any deputy or clerk duly authorized by him;  and (b) by any justice of the supreme court resident in New York county, or by any clerk or officer duly authorized by said justice.

4. The use of said seal or of any replica or simulation thereof, in form or substance, by any unauthorized person or for any wrongful purpose, is prohibited.  Any violation of this prohibition shall be deemed to be a misdemeanor and punishable as such.