NEW HAMPSHIRE PLATE TYPES - SUMMARY CHRONOLOGICALLY BY INTRODUCTION DATE
(Types researched through 1987, expire 1988)
PLATE TYPE EARLIEST SEEN BEGAN NOTES
Passenger 1905 4/4/05 Ch. 86 P 3/10/1905
Dealer 1905 4/4/05 Ch. 86 P 3/10/1905
Motorcycle 1905 4/4/05 Ch. 86 P 3/10/1905
Non-Resident 1912 1912 Ch. 133 P 4/12/1911
Commercial 1913 1913 Ch. 171 P 5/21/1913
Motorcycle Dealer 1918 1915 Ch. 129 P 4/15/1915
Non-Resident M/C 1915 Ch. 129 P 4/15/1915
Boat 1916 1916 Ch. 120 P 4/14/1915
Commercial Boat 1916 1916 Ch. 120 P 4/14/1915
Tractor 1925 1922 Ch. 119 P 4/13/1921
Trailer 1923 1922 Ch. 119 P 4/13/1921
Replacement 1923
Sample 1923
Temporary (Cardboard) 1951 1924 Ch. 75 P 5/4/1923
Junk Dealer 1929 1927 Ch. 53 P 3/15/1927
Visitor 1927 1927 Ch. 113 P 6/1/1927
Agricultural 1935 1935 Ch. 161 P 5/10/1935
Agricultural Trailer 1938 1935? Ch. 161 P 5/10/1935
Repair 1936 1935 Ch. 73 P 6/11/1935
State Vehicle 1935 1935
Governor 1938 1937
Governor's Council 1937 7/15/37
National Guard UND. 1937 Ch. 176 P 7/29/1937
State Police UND. 7/1/37
Temporary M/C (Cardboard)12-31-85 Ch. 126 P 6/10/1937
Non-Resident Trailer 1938
Ambulance/Hearse 1939
Boat Dealer 1939 1939 Ch. 121 P 5/10/1939
Executive Department 1939
Timber Salvage Truck 1939 1939 Ch. 1 P 2/7/1939
40 & 8 Voiture Ch. 200 P 6/13/1941
Motor Vehicle Department 1946 1946?
Farm 1948 1948 Ch. 273 P 7/1/1947
Special Event 1948
Veteran 1950 1950 Ch. 143 P 4/21/1949
Government UND. 1952?
Legislature/Senate 1953 1953 Ch. 81 P 4/10/1953
Antique Auto 1954 1954 Ch. 252 P 6/18/1953
Attorney General 1954 1954
U.S. Congress/U.S. Senate 1954 1954
Sheriff 1955 1955 Ch. 143 P 5/21/1955
Amateur Radio 1957 1957 (Ch. 8 P 2/14/1957)
Deputy Sheriff 1957 1957 Ch. 136 P 5/23/1957
Personalized 1957 1957 Ch. 8 P 2/14/1957
Transporter 1957 1957 Ch. 316 P 10/1/1957
Fish & Game Dept. Boat 1959
Sheriff Department 1959
(PUC Boat Rep. 1951-61 era)
Department of Safety UND. 1962? Created 1961
Diesel 1962 Regs. listed 1961
Dept. of Safety Boat 1962 1962? Created 1961
Personalized Temp.(Card.)5-15-63
Personalized Boat 1964 1964 Ch. 171 P 6/21/1963
Restricted Special Veh. 1965
Supreme/Superior Court 1965 1965
Rental Boat 1967
State Owned Boat UND. 1967 Ch. 360 P 7/3/1967
Citizen's Band Radio 1968 1968 Ch. 339 P 7/3/1967
Judicial 1968
Snow Traveling Vehicle 6-30-70 1968 Ch. 450 P 7/7/1967
Snow Vehicle Dealer 6-30-71 1968 Ch. 450 P 7/7/1967
Snow Vehicle Temp. (Card.) 1968 Ch. 450 P 7/7/1967
Snow Vehicle Permanent UND. Ch. 488 P 7/3/1969
Olympic Medalist 1970
Utility Dealer 1970 1970 Ch. 463 P 7/3/1969
Personalized Motorcycle 1971
U.S. Attorney 1971
Personalized Commercial 1972
Personalized Diesel 1972
Personalized Tractor Reported 1972
Personalized Trailer 1972
Fish & Game Department UND. (1973)
Government M/C UND. 1973-79 style
Personalized Amb./Hearse 1974
Personalized Antique "NOV 78" Reported 1974
Personalized Agricultural Reported 1975
Personalized Farm 1975
Moped 1976 1976 Ch. 4 P 4/28/1976
Moped Dealer 1976 1976 Ch. 4 P 4/28/1976
Temp. 36-Hour Perm.(Card.)1977
Temp. 5-Day Permit (Card.) Ch. 195 P 6/14/1977
Handicapped Sticker "FEB 79" 1977 Ch. 301 P 6/27/1977
Consular Corps "NOV 78" 1978
Antique M/C "5-80" 1979 Ch. 48 P 4/11/1979
Handicapped "3-80" 1979 Ch. 417 P 6/23/1979
Personalized Moped 1979 chart
Personalized Veteran 1979 chart
Ambulance " 80" 1979 1979 chart
School Bus "MAR 81" 1979 chart
Former Prisoner of War "4 84" 1983 Ch. 236 P 6/18/1983
Personalized Handicap.(1987 chart) 1985 Ch. 109 P 5/10/1985
Purple Heart "12 88" 1987 Ch. 108 P 5/6/1987
Wholesale Dealer "3 91" 1987 Ch. 66 P 5/6/1986
PERMITS:
Neutral Zone 1913 1913 Ch. 81 P 4/15/1913
Portable Saw Mill 1927 Ch. 83 P 4/15/1925
Contract Carrier 1933 7/1/33 Ch. 106 P 5/6/1933
Poultry License 3-31-47 Ch. 61 P 4/26/1935
Common Carrier 1948 Ch. 224 P 6/13/1941
Sign Permit 1970 1970 Ch. 429 P 7/3/1969
Fuel/R.U./T.M.Tax/User UND. 1970s sizes
Sanitary Tank Truck 1987
LETTER PREFIX KEY: (All other letters BA-ZH are passenger)
A Dealer 1905-44 MVD Motor Vehicle Dept. 1946-47
AA-AF Commercial 1979-2007 NR Non-Resident 1938-53
AG, AGR Agricultural 1935-48 R Repair 1980-88
AMB Ambulance/Hearse 1980-88 RP Repair 1935-48
B Truck 1934-43 S State Vehicle 1935-36, 1950-56
C Motorcycle 1905-11, SB School Bus 1981-88
Commercial 1944-48 T Trailer 1980-88
CCA Consular Corps 1980 TA Tractor 1980-88
D Dealer 1944-48 U Utility Dealer 1980-88
F Farm 1948 V Veteran 1950-61
J Junk Dealer 1929-48 W Wholesale Dealer 1987-88
DETAILED NOTES ALPHABETICALLY BY TYPE:
Passenger colors, numbers began at #1 unless noted.
[ ] = Number in prison specs.
1915: Initial order - Passenger 10,000 P, Non-Resident 1,500 P,
Commercial 1,500 P, Dealer 300 P x 6 sets (A-F) = 1,800 P.
1963: Prison shop notes list steel for Agr., Com., Farm, M/C,
Tractor, Trailer, aluminum for all other types.
1943: Tab - Passenger, Commercial, Neutral Zone
Plate - Boat, M/C, M/C Dealer
1980: Reverse-color stickers for single-plate types.
1987-88: Passenger and Personalized replaced by graphic base
1987 while non-passenger types replaced during 1988.
PASSENGER (See Passenger page)
AGRICULTURAL (1935-48: See Table 1, 1949-79: See Table 2)
Ch. 161 P 5/10/1935. Began 1935. Issued to vehicles used for
agricultural purposes and restricted to 10-mile radius of farm,
later increased to 20-mile radius.
LEGENDS: No legend, stepped "AGR" prefix if 1-3-digit,
stepped "AG" prefix if 4-digit 1935-41,
no legend, stepped "AG" prefix 1942-48,
"AGR." bottom 1949-53, 1962-65, top 1954-61, 1966-79,
no legend, "AG" suffix or prefix 1980-88.
Numbers may have begun at 100 or 101 1935-79, except 1975 #11 seen.
1941/42: Thin hyphen #1-394 - 1-712, no hyphen #2629.
1980-88 BASE 1AG - 9999AG
"12 85" AG0001 - AG3729
AGRICULTURAL TRAILER
Ch. 161 P 5/10/1935. Probably began 1935 along with Agricultural.
Earliest seen 1938/39. Last seen 1939/40.
May have become irrelevant when all types issued singly in 1944.
LEGENDS: Stepped "AGR" prefix, "NH-38-9 TRAILER" top 1938,
Horizontal "AGR" prefix, "TRAILER" bottom 1939.
1938/39 AGR259
1939/40 AGR209
AMATEUR RADIO
Began 1957. Authorized by Personalized plate law, although not
specifically mentioned in the law. Nashua Telegraph 1/30/1957
mentions passage of bill by the House, and quotes Motor Vehicle
Commissioner Frederick N. Clarke as saying "Each plate would have
at least two letters but not more than four, except in the case
of amateur radio operators who would be allowed five..."
1963 and 1965 are fully reflective. Dated 1974.
1957 W1AA - W1ZZZ
1959 K1AAA - K1ZZZ (Verify 1958)
1972 W/A/1 NFX (Verify 1966-71)
1975 THIN WA1WHY
"2-80" WB1FGB (Verify 1977-79)
AMBULANCE/HEARSE (1939-79: See Table 3)
Earliest seen 1939. Ambulance and Hearse split into separate
types c.1980.
LEGENDS: No legend, cross prefix and suffix 1939-48,
no legend, cross prefix 1949-79,
no legend, "AMB" prefix 1980-88 (Ambulance),
no legend or slogan, cross prefix and suffix 1980-88 (Hearse).
1939/40, 1941/42 have light blue crosses;
1942/43-on have normal-color crosses.
"1957" top 1957-61, 1966-79, "1962" bottom 1962-65.
Numbers began at 100 or 101 all years.
1980-88 AMB500 (AMB001 on chart)
1980-88 +167+
ANTIQUE AUTO (1954-79: See Table 2)
Ch. 252 P 6/18/1953. Began 1954.
Issued to vehicles over 25 years old.
LEGENDS: "ANTIQUE/AUTO" left 1954-63, "1957" top 1957-61,
"NEW HAMPSHIRE" top, "1962" bottom 1962-63,
"ANTIQUE" bottom 1964-65, top 1966-79,
no legend, "AN" suffix 1980,
no legend, Old Man of the Mountain in circle left 1981,
"ANTIQUE" top, Old Man of the Mountain in circle left 1982-88.
1962: Painted border #222, unpainted border #316 - 322.
1980-81 BASE "1 80" 1AN - 1005AN
1981? BASE "4 83" 1203 - 1755
1981-88 BASE "AUG 81" 24 - 2727 (This base continued after
1988 but with bolt slots)
ANTIQUE MOTORCYCLE
Ch. 48 P 4/11/1979, E 6/10/1979. Began 1979, expire "5-80".
Motorcycle design with "ANTIQUE" screened top 1980-88.
1980-88 1AM - 140AM
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Began 1954. Only numbers 1 - 2 issued.
LEGENDS: "ATTORNEY/GENERAL" right 1954-60,
"ATTORNEY/GENERAL" left 1964-88.
1958 has bolt slots.
1978 has "ATTORNEY/GENERAL" center, "78" UL corner,
White/Dark Green, no serial.
BOAT (See Misc. 2 page)
Ch. 120 P 4/14/1915. Began 1916. Discontinued 1989.
BOAT DEALER
Ch. 121 P 5/10/1939. Began 1939. Discontinued 1989.
LEGENDS: No legend, letter prefix 1939-42, "D" prefix 1949-61,
letter suffix 1980-88, "BOAT D." top 1962-79.
Colors same as Boat all years.
Numbering formats: 1939-42 A1 - Z99, 1949-61 D1A - D99Z,
1962-88 1A - 999Z.
1939 A1 1951 D19A 1963 8B 1974-76 31B
1940 A10 1952 D43D 1964 65B 1977 59D
1941 1953 D61B 1965 111A 1978 59C
1942 B7 1954 D52B 1966 24A 1979 200C
1943 1955 1967 111B 1980 52B
1944 1956 D6D 1968 1981 76B
1945 1957 D17B 1969 12J 1982 81B
1946 1958 1970 72B 1983 90A
1947 1959 D111A 1971 41A 1984-87 81A
1948 1960 D97B 1972 65B 1988 12M
1949 1961 D111B 1973 44A
1950 1962 111B
CITIZENS BAND RADIO
Ch. 339 P 7/3/1967. Began 1968.
No legend, K/A/A 0001 format. Dated 1974. Thin dies 1978.
COMMERCIAL (See Truck page)
Ch. 171 P 5/21/1913. Began 1913. Discontinued 5/1/1915.
Rebegan 1934. Last seen "11 07".
COMMERCIAL BOAT
Ch. 120 P 4/14/1915. Began 1916. Discontinued 1989.
LEGENDS: No legend, "0" prefix 1916-43, "C" prefix 1944-61,
1980-88, "COM. BOAT" top 1962-79.
Colors same as Boat all years.
Numbering formats: 1916-43 0001 - 0999, 1944-61 C1 - C999,
1962-79 1 - 9999, 1980-87 C1 - C9999, 1988 C0001 - C9999.
1916 0280 1933 0167 1950 C5 1967 110
1917 0087 1934 1951 C257 1968 289
1918 0094 1935 0225 1952 C272 1969 [500]
1919 0283 1936 0237 1953 1970 29
1920 0171 1937 1954 C293 1971 [500]
1921 0217 1938 0180 1955 C117 1972 125
1922 1939 0219 1956 C500 1973 [500]
1923 1940 0047 1957 C448 1974-76 217
1924 0097 1941 0275 1958 C307 1977 573
1925 0181 1942 0122 1959 C848 1978 433
1926 1943 0022 1960 C944 1979
1927 1944 C88 1961 C146 1980
1928 1945 C93 1962 785 1981 C507
1929 0091 1946 C274 1963 820 1982 C199
1930 0056 1947 C241 1964 62 1983 C208
1931 0138 1948 C157 1965 250 1984-87 C327
1932 0133 1949 C298 1966 142 1988 C0324
CONSULAR CORPS
Began 1978, "NOV 78". Last seen "2 2000"; since discontinued.
LEGENDS: "CONSULAR/CORPS" left 1975-79, thin dies, #1 - 3, 1980-88, #1 - 6,
no legend, "CCA" prefix 1980, #CCA001 - CCA005.
DEALER (1905-48: See Table 1, 1949-79: See Table 2)
Ch. 86 P 3/10/1905. Began 4/4/1905.
LEGENDS: No legend, "A" prefix 1905-15, 1919-44,
"DEALER" bottom, "A" prefix 1916-18,
no legend, "D" prefix 1944-48,
"DEALER" bottom 1949-53, 1962-64, top 1954-61, 1970-79,
vertical "DLR" left 1965-69, 1979-84, right 1985-88.
I,O suffix used 1913-79.
1905-11: #A64 "45", #A144 Type 10, no seal.
1912-18: 6 pairs automatically issued (A - F suffix); more
(G - Z including I) for additional fee. No suffix 1912.
1914: #A241A highest listed in directory.
1915: 300 sets of 6 pairs ordered (= 1,800 P).
1919: #A241A highest listed in directory.
1920: #A243A highest listed in directory.
1921: #A289A highest listed in directory.
1925: #A189E no hyphens, A-535-B hyphens.
1931: 700 sets ordered.
1933-45: 3 pairs automatically issued (A - C suffix).
1944: #A70A, A449 and D415A seen.
1955: #H 469 seen (earliest prefix known).
Prefix A issued after suffix Z finished.
1966-69: Dealer plates still numbered in one series, but plates
with suffixes A-C have full date top center, while
plates with suffixes D and higher have "NEW CAR" or
"USED CAR" top with date split in UL and UR corners.
1975-79: Thin dies #952A with small 1980-style state name.
1980-84: Mass. dies #775 E, N.H. dies #920A.
1985-88: All plates reissued in 1984, now with "DLR" suffix #146A - 1010H.
DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY
Agency created 1961. May have begun 1962.
Discontinued 1975; replaced by State Government "S" prefix.
LEGENDS: "DEPT. OF SAFETY" top or bottom all years.
UND. (1962?) Dark Green/Silver 4 (Legend bottom)
UND. (1966?) White/Dark Green 46 (Legend top)
UND. (1967?-69) Dark Green/White FR [45] (Top or bottom)
UND. (1971-73?) White/Blue [60]
DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY BOAT
Agency created 1961. Earliest seen 1962.
LEGENDS: "DS" prefix 1962-75.
COLORS: Same as Boat 1962-67, undated White/Blue 1971-75.
1962 DS7
1964 DS35
1967 DS26
1971-75 DS47 with Green/White sticker
"PUBLIC OWNED/PERMANENT REGISTRATION"
DEPUTY SHERIFF
Ch. 136 P 5/23/1957. Began 1957. Last seen 1959.
Replaced by Sheriff Department during 1959?
LEGENDS: "DEPUTY/SHERIFF" left, "1957" top 1957-59.
1957 102
1958 58
1959 81
DIESEL (See Table 3)
Registration figures listed 1961. Earliest seen 1962.
Discontinued 1980. "D" stickers seen on regular plates,
starting "EXP. 7/1/83".
LEGENDS: "DIESEL" bottom 1962-65, "DIESEL" top 1966-79.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
Earliest seen 1939/40, "EXECUTIVE DEPT.", White, no number, cast
aluminum. Last seen 1940/41, same but Green.
FARM (1949-79: See Table 2)
Ch. 273 P 7/1/1947. Began 1948.
No mileage limit, but restricted to transporting farm products
only.
LEGENDS: No legend, "F" prefix 1948,
"FARM" bottom 1949-53, 1962-65, top 1954-61, 1966-79, 1980-88 #1-99,
no legend, "FA" suffix 1980-88 #100+.
Numbers may have begun at 100 or 101 1948-79, except 1973 #3 seen.
1948 F1220
1980-88 1 - 99, 100FA - 6203FA (1FA on chart)
FISH & GAME DEPARTMENT
Earliest seen 1973 undated.
UND. (1973) Dark Green/White, "FISH & GAME DEPT." top, #21 [100]
FISH & GAME DEPARTMENT BOAT
Earliest seen 1959.
LEGENDS: "FGD" prefix 1959-61, "FG" prefix 1962-75.
COLORS: Same as Boat 1959-67, undated White/Blue 1969-75.
1959 FGD71 1962 1965 FG37 1969-75 FG94
1960 1963 FG79 1966 FG 9
1961 FGD37 1964 1967 FG80
FORMER PRISONER OF WAR
Ch. 236 P 6/18/1983, E 8/17/1983. Earliest seen "4 84".
Vertical "POW" and 3 rows of barbed wire screened left, #114 - 227.
40 & 8 VOITURE
Ch. 200 P 6/13/1941. None seen.
GOVERNMENT
Probably issued c.1952, based on manufacturing characteristics.
Permanent undated plates issued to municipal, county and state
owned vehicles. H = Highway Department.
UND. (1952?) Black/Silver, "NH" top 108 - 4960
UND. (1957?) Dark Green/Silver (Any passenger version?)
"COM." top 1196 - 5639
"TRACTOR" top 918 -
"TRAILER" top 516 - 784
UND. (1962) Dark Green/White FR, "PERMANENT" top 2 - 4419
H984 (no border)
UND. (1969-73) Dark Green/White FR, "PERMANENT" top [5200, H1300]
H1700
UND. (1977-79) Same, thin dies 1543 - 10570
UND. (1979-88) Green/White FR, "PERMANENT" top G00001 - G14787
GOVERNMENT MOTORCYCLE
Undated (1973-79?), Dark Green/White, "NH" bottom right, #503,
with Green/White sticker "PUBLIC OWNED/PERMANENT REGISTRATION".
1980-88 base has Motorcycle design with #MC7 seen.
GOVERNOR
Began 1937. Earliest seen 1938. "GOVERNOR" all years.
1941 plates repainted for use in 1942.
A. Non-numbered with state seal:
1938/9, 1940/41: Green, cast aluminum
1945 Chart, 1947: White, cast aluminum
1946: Black, cast aluminum
UND. (1959-63?) White, cast aluminum
UND. Green/White with full-color state seal, flat
UND. White/Blue with full-color state seal, flat
B. Numbered with no state seal: Before 1944, passenger #100
issued. In 1944-53, passenger #1 issued. Starting 1954,
normal embossed plate #1 with "GOVERNOR" issued.
(1954 passenger #1 issued to Motor Vehicle Commissioner.)
Known "GOVERNOR" plates: 1956, 1958, 1960, 1963-66,
1969, 1971 [1], 1973 [1], 1975
GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL
Began 7/15/1937. Only 5 issued; number = District, #1 - 5.
Only one plate pair per district, unlike Maine. Currently active.
1941 plates repainted for use in 1942.
Cast aluminum, "GOVERNOR'S/COUNCIL" top, "N.H." bottom left, date bottom right 1938-71,
Blue/White flat aluminum with full-color state seal 1972, 1973/74, 1977/78,
same but partially embossed 1985/86, 1987/88.
HANDICAPPED
Ch. 417 P 6/23/1979, E 8/22/1979. Earliest seen "3-80".
Previously issued Handicapped Sticker on regular plates.
No legend, wheelchair prefix 1980-88.
1980-88 1 - 9999
"4 88" 101A - 523C (Verify A)
HANDICAPPED STICKER
Ch. 301 P 6/27/1977, E 8/26/1977. Began 1977.
Earliest seen "FEB 79".
White/Blue wheelchair sticker issued for regular plates.
Discontinued 1979; replaced by Handicapped plates.
JUDICIAL
Earliest seen 1968.
1968, 1973: "1968" top, "JUDICIAL" left, #1.
1969, 1971, 1973, 1979: [1]
1974: "74" top left, "JUDICIAL" left, #1.
1975: No number, embossed, "JUDICIAL" center. [1]
JUNK DEALER (1927-48: See Table 1, 1949-79: See Table 2)
Ch. 53 P 3/15/1927. Began 1927. Earliest seen 1929.
Issued to salvage dealers.
8-sided 1929-32, rectangular 1934-on. (Verify 1933)
In 1933 (and perhaps all years) numbers began at 50.
LEGENDS: No legend, "J" prefix and "D" suffix 1929-48,
"JUNK" bottom 1950-53, 1962-65, top 1954-61, 1966-79,
no legend, "J" prefix and letter suffix 1980-88.
(Verify 1949)
Red/White (BS) sticker seen over 1974 sticker on 1973 plates;
possibly extending them until 1975 plates ready.
Also seen on Repair and Transporter.
1980-88 BASE J143B - J180C
LEGISLATURE/SENATE
Ch. 81 P 4/10/1953 for attachment plates (Legislature) and full-size
plates (Senate). Began 1953.
Ch. 29 P 3/1/1955 for full-size Legislature plates. Began 1955.
New Hampshire has 400 State Legislators (largest in the U.S.) and
24 State Senators.
LEGISLATURE:
Non-numbered boat-size attachment plate 1953-55; numbered
full-size issues started mid-1955. 2-year terms began 1969.
LEGENDS: "NH-53" top, "LEGISLATURE" center, full border 1953,
"NH 54" top, "LEGISLATURE" center, top and bottom border only 1954-55,
"LEGISLATURE" below smaller numbers 1955-63,
"NEW HAMPSHIRE" top, "1962" bottom 1962-63,
"LEGISLATURE" bottom 1964-65, top 1966-76,
"N.H. HOUSE" top 1977-88.
COLORS: Passenger colors 1953-67, Dark Green/White 1968, 1969-70,
Green/White FR 1971-72, 1975-76, 1979-80, 1983-84, 1987-88,
Red/White FR 1973-74, 1977-78, 1981-82, 1985-86.
Full-color state seal decal added 1968, full graphic plates
began 1971-72, became partially embossed 1981-82.
Plate number is legislator's seat number as follows:
#1-1 - 1-43, 2-1 - 2-101, 3-1 - 3-119, 4-1 - 4-99, 5-1 - 5-43.
Numbers 13 and 113 are omitted, giving a total of 399. Speaker
of the House sits in front in a 6th section, the 400th member.
Unknown why higher numbers 1958 #1-53, 1959 #1-49, 1960 #1-49 and
1969/70 #4-100 exist.
Speaker House of Representatives also began 1953; 1953, 1963, 1967
and 1968 cast aluminum seen. Chaplain listed 1964, 1969/70, 1971/72,
1973/74, 1975, 1979; seen 1967 and 1968 with no serial.
House Majority Leader known 1973/74.
1962: 4-7 has painted border, 3-15 no border.
SENATE:
Numbered full-size plates began 1953.
LEGENDS: "SENATE" above smaller numbers 1953,
"SENATE" left 1954-70,
"NEW HAMPSHIRE" top, "1962" bottom 1962-65, "1966" top 1966-67,
"19 LEGISLATURE 68" top 1968,
"69" top left, "70" top right 1969-70,
"SENATOR" top 1971-74, "SENATE" top 1975-86.
Colors, state seals, terms and flat plates same as Legislature.
Numbered all years; plate number represents district #1 - 24.
Unknown why 1968 #25 and 27 exist.
Senate President: Began 1953; 1965 cast aluminum, 1979/80 flat Green/White seen.
President of Senate: 1955, 1956, 1970, 1971 cast aluminum seen.
President of the Senate: 1973/74 flat, Green/White instead of Red/White,
1975/76 flat, Red/White instead of Green/White seen.
More types added 1974: Vice President, Majority Leader, Assistant Majority Leader,
Minority Leader, Assistant Minority Leader, Sergeant-At-Arms and Chaplain.
MOPED
Ch. 4 P 4/28/1976. Began 1976.
UND. (1976) 1227 White/Dark Green, "NH MOPED" bottom
UND. (1977-79) 4750 Dark Green/White, "MOPED" bottom, no "NH"
UND. (1980-88) 18415 Green/White FR, "NH MPD" bottom
(1 - 9519 non-serif "1", 11305-on serif "1")
MOPED DEALER
Ch. 4 P 4/28/1976. Began 1976.
UND. (1976) D72A White/Dark Green, "NH MOPED" bottom
UND. (1977-79) D90C Dark Green/White, "MOPED" bottom, no "NH"
UND. (1980-88) P072A - P125A Green/White FR, "NH MPD" bottom
MOTORCYCLE (See Motorcycle page)
Ch. 86 P 3/10/1905. Began 4/4/1905.
MOTORCYCLE DEALER (1915-48: See Table 1, 1949-72: See Table 2)
Ch. 129 P 4/15/1915. Began 1915. Earliest seen 1918.
No legend all years.
1915-45: 3 discs or plates automatically issued (A - C suffix);
more (D - Z) for additional fee.
1973-79: Bases same as Motorcycle. 1973 101-A, 1974 62-A,
1975 [75-A], 1976 7A, 1977-79 66A seen.
1980-88: Motorcycle design, #M001A - M108B seen.
MOTOR VEHICLE DEPARTMENT (See Table 3)
Earliest seen 1946. Portsmouth Herald 3/16/1946 news article
mentions new colors chosen for the state's 12 motor vehicle
inspectors, but unclear if it was a newly-issued plate type.
LEGENDS: No legend, "MVD" prefix 1946-47,
"MOTOR/VEHICLE/DEPT" left 1948,
"MOTOR/VEHICLE/DEPT" right 1949-51 with vertical numbers if 2-digit,
"MOTOR VEHICLE/DEPARTMENT" right 1956-57,
"MOTOR/VEHICLE/DEPT." left 1958-61, 1971, 1972/73 #7 and 13,
"MOTOR/VEHICLE" 1973,
"DEPT. OF SAFETY" top, "MOTOR/VEHICLE" left undated #23.
COLORS: White/Red 1946-47, Passenger colors 1948-70,
White/Dark Green 1971, Dark Green/White 1972/73, 1973,undated.
1954: #1, 9, 12 undated, state name on Green/White FR strip,
#9, 10, 12 undated, state name embossed.
1955: #2, 3, 14 undated, #3 dated.
NATIONAL GUARD
Ch. 176 P 7/29/1937.
LEGENDS: No legend, stepped "NG" prefix 1937-57?,
"NATIONAL GUARD" top 1967?-69.
UND. (1937-48?) N/G 720 White/Red, long size
UND. (1949-51?) N/G 32 White/Red, medium size
UND. (1952-53?) N/G 189 - 645 White/Red, short size
UND. (1956-57?) NG872 Dark Green/Silver, slots
UND. (1967-69) 2 - [50] FR, Dark Green/White
Rebegan expire "7 84" for private vehicles of National Guard members.
"NATIONAL GUARD" embossed top, minuteman screened left, #125 - 1103.
NON-RESIDENT (1912-28: See Passenger page, 1938-67: See Table 3)
Ch. 133 P 4/12/1911. Began 1912.
Repealed by Ch. 42 P 3/6/1929. Discontinued 1929.
Issued to non-residents staying for more than 10 days (increased
to 20 days in 1923). Valid 7/1 to 9/30, extended to 10/31 1925-26
only. Issued both to vehicles registered out-of-state and vehicles
remaining in N.H. but not otherwise registered 1912-26; issued only
to latter vehicles 1938-67. 6-sided, no legend 1912-28.
1926: Type 1 - horizontal dash 100-001 - 103-336 (3,336 P)
Type 2 - vertical dash 103-557 - 103-878 (322 P)
Ch. 203 P 8/30/1937. Rebegan 1938. Valid 6/1 to 9/30.
Repealed by Ch. 199 P 6/14/1967, E 10/1/1967. Discontinued 1968.
SHAPES: 6-sided 1938-53, rectangular 1954-67.
LEGENDS: No legend, "NR" prefix 1938-49,
no legend, stepped "NR" prefix 1950-53,
"NON RES." top 1954-61, 1966-67, bottom 1962-65.
(No double dates 1938-42.)
1938-67: Numbers began at 100 or 101.
NON-RESIDENT MOTORCYCLE
Ch. 129 P 4/15/1915. Began 1915. None seen; format unknown.
Reported 1918 as 6-sided motorcycle plate.
NON-RESIDENT TRAILER
Earliest seen 1938/39. Last seen 1941/42.
May have begun 1938 when Non-Resident rebegan.
May have become irrelevant when all types issued singly in 1944.
Large size base, 6-sided, "TRAILER" bottom 1938-41.
1938/39 5-197 (May have begun at #5-001)
1939/40
1940/41 5-236 (May have begun at #5-001)
1941/42 6-096 (May have begun at #6-001)
OLYMPIC MEDALIST
Earliest seen 1970.
Issued to 1960 US Women's Skiing Champion Penny Pitou.
LEGENDS: No legend, Olympic rings in place of numbers all years.
Dated 1974 and Bicentennial 1976 (in full color) also seen.
PERSONALIZED
Ch. 8 P 2/14/1957. Began 1957. 2-4 letters allowed for $5
extra annual fee; "&" and "-" also allowed.
1959: 5 letters, or 3-4 letters with number 1 to 9, added.
1962: 1 letter added.
1965: Light trucks 1 ton or less added.
1974: ZIP codes (#03031 - 03897) added.
1976: 6 figures added 8/1/1976.
1962 aluminum, no painted border seen.
1963 and 1965 are fully reflective.
1970 has "LIVE FREE OR DIE", not "SCENIC". Dated 1974.
PERSONALIZED AGRICULTURAL
Reported 1975. 1980-88 continued "AGR." legend, unlike all
other Agricultural plates.
PERSONALIZED AMBULANCE/HEARSE
Earliest seen 1974 dated #+AMB1.
PERSONALIZED ANTIQUE
Reported 1974. Earliest seen "NOV 78". 1980-88 continued
"ANTIQUE" legend, unlike all other Antique plates until 1985.
PERSONALIZED BOAT
Ch. 171 P 6/21/1963. Began 1964. Discontinued 1989.
(1963 #BOAT seen in both Dark Green/White and White/Dark
Green; probably a promotion for the new program.)
1-4 figures allowed. 200 issued 1964, 250 issued 1965.
PERSONALIZED COMMERCIAL
Earliest seen 1972. 1980-88 continued "COMMERCIAL" legend,
unlike all other Commercial plates except #1 - 999.
PERSONALIZED DIESEL
Earliest seen 1972. Discontinued 1980.
PERSONALIZED FARM
Earliest seen 1975. 1980-88 continued "FARM" legend, unlike
all other Farm plates except #1 - 99.
PERSONALIZED HANDICAPPED
Ch. 109 P 5/10/1985, E 7/9/1985. Began 1985. Earliest seen 1987 chart.
PERSONALIZED MOPED
Earliest seen 1979 chart.
PERSONALIZED MOTORCYCLE
Earliest seen 1971. 1-4 figures allowed; expanded to 5 1973.
PERSONALIZED TEMPORARY
Earliest seen Exp. 5/15/1963. Issued until Personalized plate
can be manufactured and sent to applicant.
LEGENDS: Large "INITIAL/PLATES" left 1963-67,
large "MOTOR/VEHICLE/PLATES" left 1975-79.
PERSONALIZED TRACTOR
Reported 1972. 1980-88 continued "TRACTOR" legend, unlike all
other Tractor plates.
PERSONALIZED TRAILER
Earliest seen 1972. 1980-88 continued "TRAILER" legend, unlike
all other Trailer plates.
PERSONALIZED VETERAN
Earliest seen 1979 chart.
(PUC BOAT
Reported in 1951-61 era.)
PURPLE HEART
Ch. 108 P 5/6/1987, E 7/5/1987. Began 1987, "12 88" on Passenger
graphic base only. Green Purple Heart medal followed by small
"PURPLE/HEART" left, #10 - 1454.
RENTAL BOAT
Earliest seen 1967. Discontinued 1989.
LEGENDS: "REN. BOAT" top 1967-79, no legend, "L" prefix 1980-88.
COLORS: Same as Boat all years.
1967 48 1972 449 1979 1984-87 L276
1968 264 1973 [700] 1980 L456 1988
1969 [700] 1974-76 745 1981 L897
1970 408 1977 280 1982 L336
1971 [700] 1978 421 1983 L542
REPAIR (1935-79: See Table 3)
Ch. 73 P 6/11/1935. Began 1935. Earliest seen 1936.
LEGENDS: No legend, stepped "RP" prefix 1935-48,
"REPAIR" bottom 1949-53, 1962-65, top 1954-61, 1966-79,
no legend, "R" prefix and letter suffix 1980-88.
Numbers began at 100 or 101 all years.
1945: 2 plates automatically issued (X-Y suffix).
Z suffix seen 1961, W suffix seen 1968, #178-S seen 1975 thin dies.
1974: #677-X undated.
Red/White (BS) sticker seen over 1974 sticker on 1973 plates;
possibly extending them until 1975 plates ready.
Also seen on Junk Dealer and Transporter.
1980-88 BASE R0237D - R0653A
REPLACEMENTEarliest seen 1923 Non-Resident. 1929 Trailer also seen.
Last seen 1932. Last known 1933 order.
1923-32: Blank plates with only state/year legend embossed,
numbers painted on by hand. Non-numbered blanks also
used as Sample plates.
1933: 2,000 3-5-digit blanks, 350 6-digit blanks, 100
motorcycle blanks ordered.
1935: #5-692 has bottom slots whereas original wouldn't have
had any, indicating a fully-embossed replacement plate.
RESTRICTED SPECIAL VEHICLE
Earliest seen 1965. Last seen 1968.
Possibly issued to snowmobiles and/or ATVs.
1965-68: Motorcycle size, undated, Dark Green/White,
only numbers/letters embossed.
63, 756, 797, 814, 3165, 3763, 4571, D936, 153B seen
STICKERS:
1965 - Green/White, "N.H. 1965 - EXP. 3-31-66" top,
"RESTRICTED/SPECIAL VEHICLE" bottom.
1966 -
1967 - Green/White, same as 1965.
1968 - Black/Red, same as 1965.
SAMPLE
Earliest seen 1923. 1923-32 are replacement blanks, no numbers.
Earliest identifiable sample seen 1933. (1926 is Joe Fisher remake.)
1962 has Antique Auto design. (Verify 1924-25, 1927)
1933 0-000, 00-000 1959, 1965,
1934-42, 1944-45 00-000 UND. (1967 or 1969),
1943 TAB K 00000 UND. Wide (1975),
1946-48 0000 UND. Thin (1976) VISIT
1949-53 Y/Z 000 1975 Thin SAMPLE
1954 FC000, AC000 (Some FC have state name on Green/White
1955-75, 1975 Thin AC000 FR sticker)
1980-88 VISIT, AC000
SCHOOL BUS
Earliest seen "MAR 81". No legend, "SB" prefix 1981-88.
1981-88 BASE SB1001 - SB1783 (SB0001 on chart)
SHERIFF
Ch. 143 P 5/21/1955. Began 1955.
Annual plates 1955-64, undated permanent plate 1966?-on.
Only #1 - 10 issued, one per county.
LEGENDS: "SHERIFF" left 1955-64, undated, "1957" top 1957-61,
"NEW HAMPSHIRE" top, "1962" bottom 1962-64,
"NEW HAMPSHIRE" bottom undated.
UND. Dark Green/White 10 (also 1969, 1971, 1973 charts)
UND. Green/White 82 (1979-88 base, slogan or not)
UND. Brown/White graphic 7 (Coos County, mid 1980's)
SHERIFF DEPARTMENT
Earliest seen 1959. May have replaced Deputy Sheriff.
#1 - 99 issued.
LEGENDS: "1959" top, "SHERIFF/DEPT." left 1959-61,
"NEW HAMPSHIRE" top, "1963" bottom, "SHERIFF/DEPT." left 1963-65, UND.
1959 63 1962 74 1965 5
1960 89 1963 55
1961 98 1964 88
UND. (1966?) "NEW HAMPSHIRE" top, Dark Green/White FR 92
UND. (1967-74?) "NEW HAMPSHIRE" bottom, Dark Green/White FR [99]
UND. (1975-79?) "NEW HAMPSHIRE" bottom, White/Dark Green 98
SNOW TRAVELING VEHICLE
Ch. 450 P 7/7/1967, E 10/5/1967. Began 1968.
Earliest seen "EXP. 6-30-70". Continued issuing
Restricted Special Vehicle plates through 1969, "EXP. 6-30-70".
Ch. 30 P 3/13/1969 extended registrations expiring 3/31/1969 to
6/30/1969, and transferred administration to Fish & Game Dept.
Discontinued 1970; replaced by large Black/Yellow vehicle decal
"EXP. 6-30-71". Re-began 1975.
1968-72: Motorcycle size, undated, Dark Green/White,
only numbers/letters embossed.
598, 8768, E973, F624, H742, J556, K159, M73 - M842, T134,
AB12, AK42, BB20, BH14
1975-76: Same, Dark Blue/White, R226, 233A
STICKERS:
1969/70 - Green/White, "NH" left, "69" right, "SNOW TRAVELING VEHICLE"
above "No 6369" above "EXP. 6-30-70" center.
1970/71 - Green & Black/White, "NEW HAMPSHIRE" top, #18924 in black center,
"SNOW TRAVELING VEHICLE EXP. 6-30-71" bottom.
1971/72 -
1972/73 - Black/Yellow
1975 - Black/Red & White, "NH 75" top, "SNOWMOBILE" bottom.
1976/77 - Black/Red, "NEW HAMPSHIRE" top, "N.H. 77" and sideways
serial center, "SNOWMOBILE EX. 8-31-77" bottom.
SNOW VEHICLE DEALER
Ch. 450 P 7/7/1967, E 10/5/1967. Began 1968.
Earliest seen "EXP. 6-30-71".
1968-73: Motorcycle size, undated, Dark Green/White,
only numbers/letters embossed. Late issues have new dies.
17-A, 43C, 154D, 294A, 299A, 359A, 428B
1975-79: Same, Dark Blue/White, 97C, 171B
1980-88: Green/White FR, D203A, D299C
STICKERS:
1969/70 - Same as Snow Traveling Vehicle.
1970/71 - Black/Yellow, "1970" left, "EXPIRES/JUNE 30, 1971" right.
1971/72 - Dark Green/White, "N.H. SNOW VEHICLE" top, "DEALER, NUMBER"
over "505, EXPIRES" over "6-30-72" bottom.
1972/73 -
1973/74 - Black/Yellow, "N.H. O H R V" top, "DEALER, NUMBER" over
"279, EXPIRES" over "8-31-74" bottom.
1974/75 -
1975/76 - Black/Red and White, "NH75" top, "SNOWMOBILE" bottom.
1976/77 - Red/White
1977/78 - Black/Yellow, same as 1973.
1978/79 - White/Green (BS), "NEW HAMPSHIRE" top, "N.H. 79, O.H.R.V."
over "DEALER, 00173" center, "SNOWMOBILE EX. 8-31-79" bottom.
1980/81 - Black/Yellow, "N.H. OHRV" over "NUMBER" top, "DEALER 005"
(or 105) bottom left, "EXPIRES/12-1-81" bottom right.
SNOW VEHICLE PERMANENT
Ch. 488 P 7/3/1969, E 9/1/1969. Earliest seen 1969 chart.
Permanent undated plate. Discontinued 7/1/1972; replaced by decals.
1969, 1971: M/C size, Dark Green/White, FR, only numbers embossed,
[150].
SNOW VEHICLE TEMPORARY (Cardboard)
Ch. 450 P 7/7/1967, E 10/5/1967. Began 1968. None seen.
SPECIAL EVENT1948: "GOVERNORS/CONFERENCE" left, White/Dark Green, #1 - 77.
Issued to delegates of the National Governors' Conference
held June 13-16, 1948, at (Hotel) Wentworth-by-the-Sea in
New Castle, NH, near Portsmouth.
1955: "PRESIDENT/EISENHOWER" screened center after Old Man of the
Mountain graphic. Non-numbered plate issued for 3-day 1955
presidential visit and commemorating 150th anniversary of
discovery of Old Man formation.
1956: "PORTSMOUTH/AIR FORCE BASE" screened center, no number.
1957: "PEASE/AIR FORCE BASE" screened center, no number.
1977: "1977/REPUBLICAN/GOVERNORS/CONFERENCE" center, vertical
"NEW HAMPSHIRE" before Old Man graphic left, flat,
Black and Red/White, no number.
STATE OWNED BOAT
Ch. 360 P 7/3/1967, E 9/1/1967. None seen.
Permanent undated plate.
STATE POLICE
Agency began 7/1/1937. "STATE/POLICE" left all years.
UND. (1937-?) "NH" center 28 - 73 Red/White, embossed, long
UND. (1940's) "NH" left 40 Red/White, flat, long size
UND. (1950's) "N.H." left 38 - 86 Red/White, flat, 6" x 12"
UND. (1962-66) "NEW HAMPSHIRE" top, "DEPT. OF SAFETY" bottom,
65 - 113 Red and Dark Green/Silver
UND. (1967-79) "DEPT. OF SAFETY" top, "NEW HAMPSHIRE" bottom, FR,
[1971 270] 69 - 425 Red and Dark Green/White
UND. (1980-88) Same but state name between bolt holes
STATE VEHICLE
Began 1935. Portsmouth Herald, 4/2/1935:
"State vehicles never were given a separate classification
and special registration plates until this year."
Ch. 4 P 1/31/1945 to amend Chapter 118 of
Revised Laws to allow possible permanent plates for vehicles
owned by federal, state, county and city governments.
LEGENDS: No legend, "S" prefix 1935-36, 1950-56.
1935 S-591 1952 S461 1955 S 127
1936 S-578 1953 S406 1956 S 454
1950 S249 1954 S 622
UND. (1957-66) "STATE" top, Dark Green/Silver S184
UND. (1973) "STATE" top, White/Dark Green NH652 [NH999]
UND. (1967-74?) "STATE GOVERNMENT" top, Dark Green/White 532
UND. (1975-79?) "STATE GOVERNMENT" top, White/Dark Green,
Old dies A33, AE10, AGR50, B9, C29, D451, E12, F188, G19,
H1309, I20, L15, LA 8, LI 9, S345, T40, U195, W15
Thin dies E79, H1606, P169 - P170, U362
UND. (1979-88) "STATE GOVERNMENT" top, Green/White FR,
G122, H130, PS 38, S863, TR218, U406
SUPREME COURT/SUPERIOR COURT
Began 1965. In 1944-64, passenger plates #6 - 10 were issued to
the 5 Supreme Court judges and #11 - 16 were issued to the 6
Superior Court judges, all in order of seniority. The 1953
Legislature established a 7th Superior Court seat; #17 wasn't
available to issue in 1954 but perhaps was by 1964. By 1965, the
number of judges had increased beyond 5 and 7, respectively.
Supreme Court: #1 - 6 issued 1969-75.
Superior Court: #13 seen 1965. #1 - 14 issued 1969-75.
"SUPREME COURT" or "SUPERIOR COURT" top all years.
1976 dated, White/Dark Green, old dies,
1977 dated, Dark Green/White, 1978 dated, White/Dark Green #15,
1980 undated, Green/White #1 - 11.
TEMPORARY (Cardboard)
Ch. 75 P 5/4/1923. Began 1924.
Cardboard plate issued by dealers, valid for 5 days.
Increased to 10 days E 3/7/1951; then 20 days E 7/15/1977.
TEMPORARY 5-DAY PERMIT (Cardboard)
Ch. 195 P 6/14/1977, E 8/13/1977. None seen.
TEMPORARY MOTORCYCLE (Cardboard)
Ch. 126 P 6/10/1937. Earliest seen expire "12-31-1985".
TEMPORARY 36-HOUR PERMIT (Cardboard)
Earliest seen in 1977 N.H. book.
TIMBER SALVAGE TRUCK
Ch. 1 P 2/7/1939. Began 1939. Issued to trucks at reduced fees
and weight restrictions to encourage clearing of fallen trees
from the 9/21/1938 hurricane to avoid forest fire conditions.
Plates to expire 7/1/1939, but extended to 12/1/1939 by Ch. 200.
"NH-39" top.
New Hampshire Residents - White/Red B-110 - B-306 (197 P)
Out-of State Residents - Red/White B-624 - B-881 (258 P)
TRACTOR (1922-48: See Table 1, 1949-79: See Table 2)
Ch. 119 P 4/13/1921. Began 1922. Earliest seen 1925.
Also issued to truck tractors.
LEGENDS: "TRACTOR" legends same as Trailer 1925-79 except top 1931-32,
no legend, red (?) "T" prefix and "C" suffix 1933.
Vertical "TA" prefix 1980-88.
1941: 2-526 has hyphen, 2856 no hyphen.
1980-88 T/A 00001 - T/A 33152
TRAILER (1922-48: See Table 1, 1949-77: See Table 2)
Ch. 119 P 4/13/1921. Began 1922. Earliest seen 1923.
LEGENDS: "TRAILER" bottom, "NH/23" right 1923-27, 1930-32,
"TRAILER" top, "NH/28" right 1928-29,
no legend, red "T" prefix and "L" suffix 1933,
"TRAILER NH-34" top 1934-37,
"NH-38-9 TRAILER" top 1938,
"TRAILER" bottom 1939-53, 1962-65, top 1954-61, 1966-79,
no legend, "T" prefix, "T" suffix or "TA" to "TE" suffix 1980-88.
1929: Replacement #738 seen.
1951: 5-digit longer size.
1975: Replaced March 1977 by 1977 base.
1977-79 BASE 1 - 99999, A10001 - A12314 (102,313)
1980-88 BASE T00001 - T99999 (99,999)
"4 83" 10001T - 99999T (89,999)
"2 87" 1001TA - 8374TE (43,370) (TOTAL 233,368)
TRANSPORTER (1957-79: See Table 3)
Ch. 316 P 10/1/1957. Began 1957.
LEGENDS: "TRANSP." top 1957-61, 1966-79, bottom 1962-65,
no legend, "T" prefix and letter suffix 1980-88.
Numbers began at 100 or 101 all years.
Suffixes: "1" seen 1962, "3" seen 1964, "6" seen 1973-74.
Red/White (BS) sticker seen over 1974 sticker on 1973 plates;
possibly extending them until 1975 plates ready.
Also seen on Junk Dealer and Repair.
1980-88 BASE T111M - T243G
U.S. ATTORNEYEarliest seen 1971. 1971, 1973, 1975, 1979: Non-numbered
embossed plate, "U.S./ATTORNEY" center.
U.S. CONGRESS/U.S. SENATE
Began 1954. New Hampshire has always had 2 U.S. Representatives
and 2 U.S. Senators, both numbered 1 - 2. In 1944-54, passenger
plates #2 - 3 were issued to U.S. Senators and #4 - 5 were issued
to U.S. Representatives. All had both types of plates in 1954!
U.S. CONGRESS: "CONGRESS" top 1954-61,
"1963" bottom, "CONGRESS" left 1963-64,
"1966" top, "CONGRESS" left 1966-67,
"1968" top, "CONGRESS" left after state seal 1968,
"69" top left, "70" top right, "CONGRESS" left after state seal 1969-70,
"75" top left, "CONGRESS" left after state seal 1975,
"CONGRESS" left after state seal 1980-88.
U.S. SENATE: "U.S. SENATE" top 1954-56, 1960,
"U.S. SENATE" left, "1963" bottom 1963,
"U.S./SENATE" left, "1964" bottom 1964,
"1966" top, "U.S./SENATE" left 1966-67,
"71" top left, "72" top right, "U.S./SENATE" left 1971-72,
"73" top left, "74" top right, "U.S./SENATE" left after state seal 1973-74,
"75" top left, "U.S./SENATE" left after state seal 1975,
"76" top right, "U.S./SENATE" left after state seal 1976-78,
"U.S./SENATE" left after state seal 1980-88.
UTILITY DEALER
Ch. 463 P 7/3/1969. Began 1970.
Issued to Dealers in Trailers, Tractors, Mobile Homes, Equipment, etc.
LEGENDS: "DEALER" top, "U" prefix 1970-79,
no legend, "U" prefix and letter suffix 1980-88.
1970 U-1 - U-109*
1971 U-2 - U-100, U138A, U108B
1972 U-13 - U-203, U62B
1973-74 U-117 - U-180, U10D [U-100, U100A]
1975-79 U-99 - U-286, Thin dies U247A
1980-88 U061A - U286D
VETERAN (1950-79: See Table 3)
Ch. 143 P 4/21/1949 provided for any amputee veteran a "special
card or tag which may be attached to visor - so that it may be
read through windshield." 11/21/1949 letter from Governor to
Chris Pappas, who was issued Veteran #1, states that "No new
legislation is necessary to effect the issuing of distinctive
license plates for amputee-veterans. I have instructed
Commissioner Clarke to go ahead with the preparation of the
plates." Began 1950.
LEGENDS: No legend, "V" prefix 1950-61,
"VETERAN" bottom 1962-64, top 1966-88,
small "VET" left 1965.
1980-88 1036
VISITOR
Ch. 113 P 6/1/1927. Began 1927. Issued to non-residents, valid
for 60 days. Repealed by Ch. 42 P 3/6/1929. Discontinued mid-1929.
LEGENDS: Small size, "NH-27" top, "VISITOR" bottom 1927-29.
1927 4-481
1928 4-017
1929 4-044
WHOLESALE DEALER
Ch. 66 P 5/6/1987, E 1/1/1987. Earliest seen 1987 chart, and "3 91".
Passenger graphic design, #W 69 B seen.
PERMITS:
COMMON CARRIER
Ch. 224 P 6/13/1941, E 4/1/1942. Earliest seen 1948.
Probably issued by Public Service Commission 1948-51,
Public Utilities Commission 1951-63.
Merged with Contract Carrier 1964.
LEGENDS: Boat-sized permit plate, "COMMON" top, "CARRIER" bottom, "NH/48" right 1948-61,
vertical "CM" prefix, "NH 62" top 1962-63.
BUS: "B" prefix 1948-61, "NH BUS 62" top 1962-63.
White/Green 1948, passenger colors 1949-63.
TRUCK: No letter prefix 1955-61, "NH TRUCK 62" top 1962-63.
Reverse passenger colors 1955-63.
CONTRACT CARRIER
Ch. 106 P 5/6/1933. Began 7/1/1933.
Probably issued by Public Service Commission 1933-51,
Public Utilities Commission 1951-79.
LEGENDS: Boat-sized permit plate, "CONTRACT" top, "CARRIER" bottom 1933-61,
"NH" left, "33" right 1933-45, "NH/49" right 1949-61,
"NH TRUCK 62" top 1962-63, "NH 64" top 1964-73,
"NH" upper left 1974-79.
(No double dates 1938-42.) (Pairs seen 1959, 1961.)
BUS: "B" prefix 1957-58. (Pair seen 1958.)
COLORS: Reverse passenger colors 1933-43, 1945-62,
passenger colors 1944, 1963-73, unknown 1974-78,
White/Red 1979. Bus - passenger colors 1957-58.
Generic base began 1964 for Common and Contract Carriers with
undated sticker "CONTRACT CARRIER TRUCK BUS".
Undated bases began 1974, making dating difficult.
CONTRACT CONTRACT COMMON COMMON BUS ALL
1933 322 1948 1295 B 478
1934 1-277 1949 146 1964 2700
1935 713 1950 798 B 300 1965 2834
1936 480 1951 789 B 305 1966 2816
1937 742 1952 1202 B 453 1967 2588
1938 78 1953 396 B 359 1968 3216
1939 55 1954 1274 B 333 1969 [3500]
1940 24 1955 1284 702 B 438 1970 3184
1941 67 1956 1774 260 B 554 1971 [3700]
1942 194 1957 1528,B 90 145 B 293 1972 3501
1943 1958 1270,B 38 398 B 390 1973-74
1944 205 1959 1665 740 B 298 [3700]
1945 805 1960 1555 575 B 400 1975-79
1946 1961 1471 B 305 [3700]
1947 1962 1944 C/M41B C/M806
1963 473, C/M159
H80
(1963 H81 bolted to 181; reported to be Household mover.)
FUEL TAX/R.U. TAX/T.M. TAX/USER
Supplemental permits. All are undated.
User plate issued for front of vehicle using Diesel or Liquid Petroleum Gas.
BOAT SIZE:
A. Fuel Tax, "NH FUEL TAX" top, Yellow/Silver, #2032.
B. Road Use? Tax, "NH R.U.TAX" top, Yellow/Silver, #4337.
C. Ton Mile? Tax, "NH T.M.TAX" top, Red/Silver, #2528 - 9418.
D. User, "NH USER" top, Blue/Silver, #1168 - 5201, B557, D305,
G570, L677, N191, S393, Y390, Z347, 371A, 399B, 988E.
MOTORCYCLE SIZE:
A. Road Use?, "NH" bottom, Yellow/Silver, #210.
B. Ton Mile?, "NH" bottom, Red/Silver, #5632.
C. User?, "NH" bottom, Blue/Silver, #1424 - 5201, B205, D846, E176, F623.
NEUTRAL ZONE (See Table 1)
Ch. 81 P 4/15/1913. Began 1913. Last seen 1945.
Issued for $2 fee to out-of-state vehicles based within 15 miles
of N.H. border, allowing them to travel 15 miles into the state.
Plate displayed on front of vehicle.
(Maine last seen 1945; Maine law P 7/21/1945 suspended issuance through 12/31/1947.)
LEGENDS: Small size, oval shape, no legend, "N.H. 1913" bottom 1913-27,
small size, oval shape, no legend, "NH-28"bottom 1928-37,
full (smaller) size, rectangular, "NEUTRAL ZONE" bottom 1938-44.
1913: Numbers may have begun at #100; #109 lowest seen.
1914: #73 highest listed in directory.
PORTABLE SAW MILL
Ch. 83 P 4/15/1925. Earliest seen 1927.
Issued by State Forestry Dept.
1927: Round, embossed, White/Dark Green, "PORTABLE SAW MILL"
arched over "N.H." top, "1927" arched bottom, #181.
1928: Same shape and design as 1927, Dark Green/White, #229.
1929: Same shape and design as 1927, White/Dark Green, #181.
1930: Same shape and design as 1927, Dark Green/White, #181.
1935-65: Small flat metal sign issued.
POULTRY LICENSE
Ch. 61 P 4/26/1935, E 5/26/1935. Earliest seen 3/31/1947.
Issued by Department of Agriculture.
LEGENDS: "N.H. DEPT. of AGRICULTURE/POULTRY LICENSE" top,
"EXPIRES-MAR.31, 1947" bottom 1947, 1951,
"N.H. DEPT. of AGRICULTURE"/BONDED DEALER" top, "LIVE" left,
"POULTRY" right, "EXPIRES-MAR.31, 1953" bottom 1953, 1962.
COLORS: Black/White 1947, Red/White 1951, Blue/White 1953, White/Blue 1962.
3/31/1947 304
3/31/1951 126
3/31/1953 200
3/31/1962 43
SANITARY TANK TRUCK
Earliest seen 1987. Supplemental plate issued to septage trucks.
LEGENDS: "N.H. PERMIT NO." top, "SANITARY TANK TRUCK" bottom 1987.
COLORS: Black/Yellow with Black/Yellow "SOLIDWASTE" sticker 1987.
1987 HW 91 - HW 284 (HW = Honey Wagon)
SIGN PERMIT
Ch. 429 P 7/3/1969. Began 1970. Issued to licensed billboards.
LEGENDS: Boat size, "NH SIGN 70" top 1970, "NH SIGN" top left 1979.
COLORS: Dark Blue/White 1970-76, Red/White 1979.
STICKERS: Black/White 1976, White/Green 1979.
"NEW HAMPSHIRE" above "1976 SIGN PERMIT" above
"EXPIRES 4-1-77" left, serial right (matches plate)
1976, 1979.
1970-76 221 - 2793
UND. (1979) 1008 - 2661
TABLE 1:
DEALER M/C D. ZONE TRACTOR TRAILER JUNK AGR.
1905-11 A168 - - - - - -
1912 A192 - - - - - -
1913 A199A - 953 - - - -
1914 A234A - 52 - - - -
1915 A255A 80 - - - -
1916 A216A 143 - - - -
1917 A229A 572 - - - -
1918 A209A A-29-A 484 - - - -
1919 A111A A24A 399 - - - -
1920 A216A 371 - - - -
1921 A209A A21A 395 - - - -
1922 A136A A21A 550 - -
1923 A393A A21A 1087 430 - -
1924 A470A A21A 1181 215 - -
1925 A-535-A A21A 1-120 247 847 - -
1926 A-101-A 793 64 296 - -
1927 A-463-A A14A 659 439 182 -
1928 A463A A21A 525 210 398 -
1929 A484A 185 300 557 J 83 D -
1930 A623A 1 186 847 -
1931 A563A 641 359 J 54 D -
1932 A653A 341 565 1-147 J 100 D -
1933 [A600A] [A20A] 356 [T700C] T1538L [J 100 D] -
1934 A382A 136 719 2-521 J 119 D -
1935 A290A 986 296 2-591 AGR338
1936 A398A 717 886 2-940 AGR495
1937 A10A A3A 716 1-151 4-137 AG1-000
1938-9 A295A A10A 831 1-541 3-140 J124D AG1-557
1939-40 A170A 1-106 2-088 3-925 AG1-610
1940-41 A485A A1A 1-514 2-315 4-702 AGR954
1941-42 A375A A3A 1689 2856 5-507 AG2629
1942-43 A20A 976 5108 6879 AG4968
1943 A5A
1944 A449A 75 4381 5138 AG3676
1945 D80A 100 3511 4891 AG3811
1946 D441A A30A 5000 6750 J 99 D AG4500
1947 D342A A5A 4859 6596 AG1539
1948 D441A 4417 7744 J149D AG3336
TABLE 2:
DEALER M/C D. TRACTOR TRAILER JUNK AGR. FARM ANT.
1949 440A 5257 8340 3731 1434 -
1950 547A A7A 5964 9484 J85D 3513 917 -
1951 329A A31A 5731 10072 3697 1912 -
1952 465A A14A 5858 9116 3992 1925 -
1953 560A A14A 7208 11073 3183 2232 -
1954 557A A11A 7195 11992 J54D 4258 2306 98
1955 509A 5413 14319 4110 2149 131
1956 614A A14A 6826 13987 4612 2055 178
1957 494A A14A 8149 15260 4691 2147 300
1958 469A A31A 7195 18891 J113D 3974 957 280
1959 469A A23A 8081 20108 J147D 5000 2313 299
1960 575A A7A 6125 20395 J150D 5014 2266 297
1961 380A A12A 5298 22378 J146D* 3622 2150* 256
1962 575-A 7992 21961* 113-J* 4840 1679 322
1963 662-A 5421 23582* 108-J 4831* 1992 315
1964 705-A 25-A* 8292 27287 4991* 2094* 413
1965 745A* 28-A 8913 29510* 91-J 5046* 1696* 353
1966 528A 28-A 9314 32695* 3693 1726* 420
1967 745A* 75-A* 10416* 34961* 154J* 4635 1555 436
1968 784A* 50-A* 10320* 34936 5108* 2012 483
1969 [745A*] [75-A*][10500*] 38741 [200J*][5300*][2600*][450]
1970 441A 5-A 11209 47200* 154J* 5016* 2420* 488
1971 724A [75-A] [10500] 49771 [200J] [5300] [2600] 567
1972 742A 92-A 12336 52300 176J 5955 2795 523
1973-74 823A (see 15363 71331 [200J] [6000] 3055 845
1975-79 754A text) 17859 84445 143J 6167 [3250] 965
THIN 860A 18064 85492 160J 6852 1025
952A 21937 188J 8945 1482
TABLE 3:
REPAIR NON RES. AMB. MVD VETERAN TRANS. DIESEL
1935 - - - -
1936 RP160X - - - -
1937 - - - -
1938-9 RP168X NR 139 - - -
1939-40 RP172X NR 230 +359+ - - -
1940-41 NR 130 +180+ - - -
1941-42 NR 131 +180+ - - -
1942-43 RP158X NR 294 +214+ - - -
1943 - - -
1944 RP195X NR 163 - - -
1945 NR 248 - - -
1946 RP298X NR 300 +241+ MVD 25 - - -
1947 NR 134 MVD 28 - - -
1948 RP208X NR 160 +241+ 18 - - -
1949 350X NR 198 +217 9 - - -
1950 313X N/R 272 +260 4 V46 - -
1951 197X N/R 183 +216 22 V46 - -
1952 259X N/R 214 +260 V105 - -
1953 329X N/R 216 +215 V119 - -
1954 290X 344 +275 12 V190 - -
1955 263X 345 +275 14 V17 - -
1956 174X 246 +271 25 V179 - -
1957 365X 290 +252 25 V194 T114 -
1958 433X 271 +251 9 V203 T110 -
1959 444X 315 +261 23 V222 -
1960 530X 330 +273 39 V145 T139 -
1961 415X* 298 +271* 40 V242 T129
1962 224-X 336 +268* 233 159-1 32
1963 383-X* 243 +211 119 1726*
1964 352-X 328 +274* 350 248 1695*
1965 224-X 287 +206* 247 159 524
1966 343-X 336 +206 253 296 1846*
1967 450-X* 298 +206 150 134 686
1968 391-X - +206 259 372* 3069*
1969 521-X - [+275*] [275] [400*] [3200*]
1970 497-X - +232 170 400* 3719*
1971 [475-X] - [+275] 13 [275] [400] 4362
1972 497-X - +256 271 438 4243
1973-74 652-X - [+300] [50] [300] [450] 6634
1975-79 [625-X] - +306 359 [300] 6545
THIN 846-X - 455 307 9147
905-Y
124-W - 11379
