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Primary sourceArtifact

Seal of Catherine II of Russia

The official state seal used to authenticate imperial acts issued by Catherine II.

This state seal was used to authenticate official acts issued under Catherine II's rule.

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Black and white line drawing of a circular state seal of Catherine II of Russia. A double-headed eagle with a crown above it sits at the center, with a shield on its chest. Cyrillic inscription runs around the rim, within a laurel border.
Seal of Catherine II of Russia.

About this source

What it is

This circular seal shows a double-headed eagle crowned above and bearing a shield, surrounded by a Cyrillic inscription within a laurel border. It served as Catherine II's state seal.

Why it matters

Seals like this were pressed onto official documents to prove they carried the ruler's authority. The double-headed eagle was a symbol of the Russian imperial state, and its use here ties Catherine's personal rule to the broader traditions of the empire.

Look closer

  • Why would a government use a seal instead of, or alongside, a signature?
  • What might the double-headed eagle symbol mean to people who saw it on official papers?
  • What does the inscription around the rim likely say, and why would it be written in this way?

This artifact is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Catherine the Great on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Title page of a 1769 French edition printed in Yverdon, headed 'Instructions adressées par sa Majesté l'Impératrice de toutes les Russies' to the commission for a new law code, 'Nouveau code de loix, Traduit de l'Allemand.' A crown ornament, a quotation beginning 'Seigneur Dieu!' in italics, and the imprint 'Aux dépens de la Société Typographique' with the date MDCCLXIX appear below.Document

Primary source

Nakaz

Catherine II of Russia · 1766

Title page of an 1885 printed book in Russian. Large heading reads 'ГРАМОТА', followed by 'на права, вольности и преимущества благородного российского дворянства'. Below is 'С.-Петербургъ, Губернская типография (Никольская ул., № 5-8)' and the year '1885'. A round library stamp and a rectangular stamp appear in the middle, with a handwritten mark at top left.Document

Secondary source

Charter to the Nobility

Catherine II of Russia · 1785 (this edition 1885)

Scan of the first page of a printed 18th-century German-language Russian imperial manifesto, with a large black-letter title beginning 'Von Gottes Gnaden Wir Catharina die Zweyte' and a long list of territorial titles. A library stamp reads 'Ex Bibliotheca Regia Acad. Georgiae'.Document

Primary source

Invitation Manifesto of 1763

Catherine II of Russia · 22 July 1763

Open handwritten manuscript bound in a book on a dark display surface. Left page and right page are covered in dense cursive handwriting in ink, with crossed-out words and insertions. Paper is cream-colored and aged.Diary entry

Primary source

Catherine II's Memoirs

Catherine II of Russia · 1790s

Bronze equestrian statue of a rider on a rearing horse, mounted on a large granite rock with Russian inscription. Behind it is a long yellow neoclassical building with white columns under a blue sky.Sculpture

Primary source

Bronze Horseman

Étienne Maurice Falconet · 1768-1782

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