All such matters as have issued under the great seal of the state since March sixteenth, seventeen hundred seventy-eight, shall continue to be issued under such seal, except copies of papers and records certified by the secretary of state or his deputy and authenticated under his seal of office. The secretary of state may, however, upon such terms and conditions as he may deem appropriate, furnish an impression, replica or print of the great seal of the state for use as a collector’s item, for use in preparing a collector’s item or for educational purposes.