The information presented on this website was gradually researched over the last forty years and has grown, like a city, in several different directions over time. Therefore, to keep the summarized data as concise as possible, a standardized format was developed to list the various parameters of information when it applied to multi-year baseplates. An example of that format, and how to "read" it, appears below.
When it comes to the plate numbers listed, all are numbers that have been verified on actual license plates, unless noted that they are inferred from registration records, statistics, or some other source. The only exceptions are as follows: 1.) Low numbers, such as 1, 100 or 1000, etc. are listed as such if it is reasonably known that it was the lowest number issued, even if that plate hasn't been spotted. 2.) Ranges of numbers where a state has issued serial formats by county and/or weight class; we can't record highs and lows of all 105 Kansas counties, so we express an expected range of possible numbers in the system. 3.) Sequencing in predictable systems, such as Michigan's 1979-83 base where numbers began at BBB-000 and ended at ZZZ-999.
A few key codes and abbreviations are used on this site. An * after a number means that the number is higher than the registration figures for that year and type (and *t means the same thing for passenger figures unless trucks are included). It serves as a flag that the number is "too" high. Sometimes, this is expected especially in states with multiple issuing offices, each of which had to be stocked with a sufficient quantity of plates to get through the year. The results? Number "inflation", and possible leftover unissued plates with lower or higher numbers. No attempt has been made to distinguish issued numbers from unissued ones. If a plate was produced, someone would want to collect it whether it was issued or not.
Registration figures, unless noted otherwise, are from the U.S. Department of Commerce (1901-55 passenger, truck and total), U.S. Department of Transportation (1956-75, passenger only), and Transport Canada (1903-73, total only). Alaska and Hawaii figures start in 1959. When figures become available from a state or provincial source directly, these are included since they are considered to be more accurate.
GUIDE TO PRESENTATION OF MULTI-YEAR BASE DATA
Example: Alaska 1982-98 Flag Base. (Dates of Base title reflect base or sticker date, not issue date)
1 2 3 4 5 6
5-1-81 "MAY 82" Type 1 BAA 100 - BTH 647 (329,048 P)
May 84 "MAY 85" Type 2 BTJ 109 - CBY 976 (128,668 P)
Jun.88 "JUN 89" Type 1a CBZ 128 - DJX 999 (490,472 P)
(TOTAL 948,600 P)
1 First date of issue, or earliest known month and/or year of issue.
2 Earliest possible or earliest known expiration date on plate.
3 Die variation, if more than one occurred on this base. Die types are described separately below the
entry. Type 1a is a repeat or subtype of Type 1, identical in construction and appearance.
4 Lowest number known, verified or observed.
5 Highest number known, verified or observed.
6 Total number of pairs (P) or singles (S), calculated by multiplying the letters and numbers used,
and subtracting omitted series, if known. This number is useful for the comparison of relative rarity.
In this case, Type 2 plates only represent about 13.5% of the total issue, with 257,336 verified.
NOTES ON PASSENGER, TRUCK AND MOTORCYCLE DATA:
Information is current up to January 1, 2025. New highs and bases have not been updated after that date.
Weekly updates continue to be made on all pre-2025 information found.
NOTES ON NON-PASSENGER TYPE DATA:
Non-passenger types have been researched for all U.S. and Canada jurisdictions up through the original Phase 1 goal of 1979. In many cases, research has continued beyond 1979, with newer Phase 2 ending dates dependent on logical factors such as the end of a long-term baseplate, availability of accurate data from governments, etc. The following table lists the most recent year researched in each jurisdiction:
Alabama 1979 Kentucky 1982 North Dakota 1987
Alaska 2014 Louisiana 1983 Ohio 1979
Arizona 1979 Maine 2024 Oklahoma 1979
Arkansas 1979 Maryland 1985 Oregon 1980
California 1979 Massachusetts 1986 Pennsylvania 1983
Colorado 1979 Michigan 1983 Rhode Island 1979
Connecticut 1986 Minnesota 1979 South Carolina 1987
Delaware 1992 Mississippi 1981 South Dakota 1990
District of Columbia 1984 Missouri 1981 Tennessee 1985
Florida 1986 Montana 1979 Texas 1984
Georgia 1982 Nebraska 1983 Utah 1985
Hawaii 1980 Nevada 1983 Vermont 1989
Idaho 1986 New Hampshire 1987 Virginia 1980
Illinois 1979 New Jersey 1985 Washington 1986
Indiana 1980 New Mexico 1984 West Virginia 1981
Iowa 1984 New York 1986 Wisconsin 1986
Kansas 1987 North Carolina 1983 Wyoming 1987
American Samoa 1986 Alberta 1983 Ontario 1981
Guam 1987 British Columbia 1985 Prince Edward Island 1980
Puerto Rico 1984 Manitoba 1982 Quebec 1982
Virgin Islands 1987 New Brunswick 1990 Saskatchewan 1989
Canal Zone 1980 Newfoundland 1981 Yukon 1990
U.S. Forces Germany 1982 Nova Scotia 1981 Northwest Territories 1985
