| The National Archives acts as the repository for all government seals, including the Great Seal of Canada of which the Governor General is the official keeper. It is affixed to all formal documents issued in the name of the monarch. The Great Seal of Queen Victoria is Canada's first Great Seal but it was not delivered until two years after Confederation due to the intricate engraving required. Queen Victoria is seated under a Gothic-style triple canopy, sceptre in hand. In the right and left niches are the four shields bearing the arms of the provinces that then made up Canada: Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. A new Great Seal is created for each monarch. The Great Seal of Queen Elizabeth was the first to be made in Canada at the Royal Canadian Mint. Silver
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