Usage of Arms
Most states do not employ coats of arms, but have chosen to use seals as their official emblems, and while the United States has a coat of arms, which is the basis of most governmental seals, the Great Seal of the United States is the official emblem of the Nation. The U.S. constitution prohibits federal and state governments from conferring or recognizing titles of nobility, and there are few noble coats of arms in the country. However private persons, including several past presidents, employ traditional coats of arms either personal or family related. Since there is no official regulation on arms, except for the official seals, badges, insignia, decorations and medals of the country and the states, many private individuals have assumed arms. There is one anomalous exception to this lack of regulation: the coat of arms of the Swiss Confederation is specifically protected from unauthorized use within the USA, under penalty of a fine and/or imprisonment for up to six months.
Read more about this topic: American Heraldry
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