National Arms of Costa Rica
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Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of Costa Rica |
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NATIONAL ARMS OF COSTA RICA
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.
 The seal from 1840 |
 The arms from 1848 |
 The arms from 1906 |
 The arms from 1964 |
Use of arms in collector's items
The four versions of the arms on coins :
 The arms on a coin from 1855 |
 The arms on a coin from 1937 |
 The arms on a coin from 1978 |
 The arms on a coin from 2000 |
 The arms on a Dutch trade card, around 1905 |
 The arms on a US trade card, 1900s |
 The arms on a UK tobacco card, 1917 |
 The arms on a Danish tobacco card, 1925 |
 The arms on a Dutch matchbox label, 1960s |
 The arms on a Spanish cigar bond, 1980s (?) |