Thecoat of arms of Cape Town is the traditional symbol of themunicipality ofCape Town. The original arms from the 20th century are no longer in official use, though no new arms have yet been adopted.
The original seal, depicting the arms of the city's founder,Jan van Riebeeck, supported by an anchor symbolising theCape of Good Hope, was granted to the city by the Commissioner-General of theBatavian Republic in June 1804.[1] In 1894, the municipal council placed the Van Riebeeck arms and anchor on a golden shield,[2] and in 1898 it adopted a crest consisting of a mural crown ensigned of an anchor.[3]
In December 1899, theCollege of Arms inLondon issuedLetters Patent which confirmed these arms, modified the crest, and added supporters.[4] This achievement of arms, together with the new seal depicting them, was registered with the Cape Provincial Administration in 1956,[5] and with theBureau of Heraldry on 16 January 1972.
Inheraldic terms the coat of arms is described as follows:
