This historical depiction of the
coat of arms of Tennessee was illustrated by the American engraver Henry Mitchell in
State Arms of the Union, published in 1876 by
Louis Prang. The coat of arms includes the Roman numeral "XVI", referring to
Tennessee being the 16th state to join the Union. The plough, wheat sheaf, and cotton plant in the top half of the shield illustrate the importance of agriculture to the state's economy, while the flat-bottomed riverboat in the bottom half represents the importance of commerce. This design also appears on the
Tennessee state seal.
Illustration credit: Henry Mitchell; restored by Andrew Shiva