U.S. #4330

2012 45¢ Wisconsin

Flags of Our Nation 

Issue Date: August 16, 2012

City: Sacramento, CA

Quantity: 25,000,000

Printed By: American Packaging Corp for Sennett Security Products

Printing Method: Photogravure

Color: Multicolored

Flags of Our Nation, Set VI:  2012 marks the sixth and final set of stamps in the series.  The state and territory flags reflect the history of each region they represent.  The uniqueness of each state flag in the series reflects the diversity of the United States and its territories.    

During the Civil War, volunteers from Wisconsin requested an official flag to carry off to battle.  A banner was designed incorporating the state’s coat of arms.

The flag shows many aspects of Wisconsin’s commerce.  European explorers first arrived in Wisconsin looking for the Northwest Passage to China.  Instead, they discovered the state’s rivers could be used to transport goods to the Mississippi River.  The sailor and anchor represent the trade that developed along the state’s waterways.

Miners came to Wisconsin Territory in search of lead in the 1820s and 30s.  They were too preoccupied with finding wealth to build houses, so they lived in abandoned mine shafts.  Nicknamed badgers, these miners gave rise to the state’s nickname and choice of animal.  Both a miner and a badger are represented on the state’s coat of arms.

As Wisconsin grew, settlers began farming the rich soil. The plow pictured on the shield and cornucopia overflowing with produce represent the success of the state’s agriculture.  Dairy farmers were drawn to Wisconsin and developed the state into the nation’s leading cheese producer.  Because of this success, Wisconsin is “America’s Dairyland.”