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Vehicle registration plates of the United States by year
Vehicle registration plates of the United States for 1953 Events of 1954 Vehicle registration plates of the United States for 1955

Nearly all of the 48 states of the United States of America plus its territories and the District of Columbia issued individual passenger license plates for the year 1954. The exception was Massachusetts, which issued renewal stickers for windshield display instead alongside 1953 registration plates. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Passenger baseplates

Passenger  car  plates
Image Region Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
Alabama Embossed white lettering and rims on blue base. none 0-12-345; 00-12-345 County-coded
Alaska Embossed blue numbers on golden yellow plate with border line; embossed territorial flag at left; "ALASKA" embossed in blue block letters centered at top; "53" embossed in top right corner none 12345 1 to approximately 96000 White tabs revalidated 1953 Alaska plates for 1954
American Samoa
Arizona Navy blue digits on white background; ARIZONA and last two numbers of year of issue embossed and centered along top. "GRAND CANYON STATE" A-12345 Coded by county of issuance (A)
Arkansas Embossed white numbers on dark green plate with border line; "ARKANSAS 1954" embossed in white block letters centered at top. "LAND OF OPPORTUNITY" embossed in white block letters centered at bottom 123-456 1 to approximately 393000
California Embossed yellow lettering on black base; "CALIFORNIA 51" embossed at bottom none 1A 23 456
12 A 3 456
unknown White-on-pink tabs revalidated 1951 base plate for 1954
Canal Zone Emobssed white on orange none 12345
Colorado Embossed white lettering and rims on black base; "Colorful" embossed at top 1-1234
A1-1234
1A-1234
10-1234
A10-123
10A-123
County-coded
Connecticut Black rough-textured lettering embossed on unpainted aluminum base, "CT" embossed at bottom right. none Metal colored tabs insert at bottom center to revalidate 1948 base plate.
Delaware Reflective white scotchlite painted stainless steel numbers riveted on black painted stainless steel base plate. Base plate embossed with Delaware on top. Insert spaces at bottom. Insert format continued as original. none 123456 1 to approximately 200000 Plates were smaller than the 6 digit plates if they were 5 digits or lower.

1951 base plates renewed with metal tabs for 1954.

District of Columbia unknown
Florida Embossed orange numbers on blue plate with border line; "FLORIDA" embossed in wide orange block letters centered at top; "19" embossed in bottom left corner and "54" in bottom right corner. "SUNSHINE STATE" embossed at bottom. 12-34567
12A34567
unknown Coded by county, weight, and class
Georgia Embossed black lettering and rims on golden yellow base. "PEACH STATE" embossed at bottom. A-12345
A/B-12345
Coded by county
Guam
Hawai'i
Idaho Embossed black numbers on white plate with border line; "IDAHO 54" embossed in black block letters centered at bottom. none A 12345
0/A 12345
Coded by county
Illinois White lettering embossed on black base; "19 ILLINOIS 54" at bottom. "LAND OF LINCOLN" embossed at top 123 456
1234 567
1 to approximately 2700 000 First use of "Land of Lincoln" nickname
Indiana White lettering embossed on maroon base; "54" embossed at top and state name at bottom. none AB 1234 County-coded
Iowa Embossed black numbers on white plate with border line; "19 IOWA 53" embossed in black block letters centered at top. "THE CORN STATE" embossed in black block letters centered at bottom. 1-23456
12-34567
first number (on single-digit county code plates) or first two numbers (on doube-digit county code plates and non-resident plates) used for county code County-coded; Metal renewal tab used on 1953 base plates for 1954.
Kansas Embossed black numbers on white state-shaped plate with border line; "KANSAS 54" embossed in black block letters centered at top. "THE WHEAT STATE" embossed in black block letters centered at bottom. A/B-12345 County-coded
Kentucky Embossed dark blue numbers on white plate; "KENTUCKY" embossed in narrow dark blue block letters at top with "-'54" to right; county name embossed in wide dark blue block letters centered at bottom. TOUR KENTUCKY embossed at top. 123-456 Issued in blocks by county
Louisiana Yellow base with embossed green lettering and border and pelican in center. "LOUISIANA-YAMS" embossed at bottom center between "19" and "54." YAMS 123 456
Maine Embossed black numbers on white plate with border line; "MAINE" embossed in black block letters offset to left above numbers, with metal tab slots to right. "VACATIONLAND" embossed in black block letters centered below numbers. 123-456 1 to approximately 375-000 1950 plates revalidated for 1954 with silver tabs.
Maryland Embossed yellow numbers and rims on black plate with border line; "MARYLAND" and "54" embossed in yellow block letters centered above and below numbers respectively. none AB-12-34 A-10-01 to approximately JF-65-00 For each two-letter series, only the letters A through H, and J, were used.
Massachusetts Massachusetts issued windshield stickers to renew 1953 base plates for 1954. Image of the windshield sticker is shown at left.
Michigan Yellow embossed lettering and rims on dark blue base; "19 MICHIGAN 54" at top. "WATER WONDERLAND" embossed at bottom. AB-12-34 County-coded
Minnesota Embossed blue numbers on cream plate with border line; "MINNESOTA" embossed in blue block letters centered at bottom; "19" embossed in bottom left corner and "54" in bottom right corner. "10,000 LAKES" embossed at top. 123-456
Mississippi Black base with embossed white lettering and border. The county name was stamped on the bottom of the license plate. none 123-456 unknown Issued in numerical blocks by county.
Missouri Embossed white lettering on maroon base. "MISSOURI" embossed at top. none A12-345
Montana Embossed white numbers on black plate with state-shaped border; "MONTANA–53" embossed in white block letters below numbers "THE TREASURE STATE" embossed in white block letters above numbers 1-12345
10-1234
1953 base plates were revalidated for 1954 with silver-gray metal tabs. Coded by county of issue.
Nebraska Embossed yellow lettering on black base. "NEBRASKA 54" embossed at top. none 12-3456 County-coded
Nevada Embossed silver numbers on dark blue plate with border line; "NEVADA 1954" embossed in silver block letters at bottom. none A/ 1-234
A/B1-234
County-coded
New Hampshire Embossed white numbers on forest green plate with border line; "NEW HAMPSHIRE" embossed in white block letters at bottom; embossed "1954" centered at top none AB123 County-coded
New Jersey Embossed orange lettering on black base; "N. 52 J." embossed at bottom. none A/B 123
A/B 12A
A/B A12
A/B 1A2
A/B 1234
County-coded. Orange-on-silver "54" renewal tabs used on 1952 base.
New Mexico Embossed yellow lettering on black base. "NEBRASKA 54" embossed at top. none 12-3456 County-coded
New York Embossed gold lettering on black base; "NY" embossed in gold block letters in bottom left corner and "53" in bottom right corner. "THE EMPIRE STATE" embossed at bottom center AB12-34 County-coded. 1953 base plates revalidated with black-on-gold "54" tabs.
North Carolina Embossed black lettering on golden yellow base. Either "NORTH CAROLINA 54" or "N.C. DRIVE SAFELY 54" embossed at bottom. none 123-456
A-12345
100-001 to 760-000 on all-number format W, R, N, and X used on letter format
North Dakota Embossed white numbers on black plate with border line; "NORTH DAKOTA 54" embossed in white block letters at top. none 123-456 1 to approximately 200-000
Northern Mariana Islands
Ohio Embossed white numbers on maroon plate with border line; "OHIO 1954" embossed in white block letters at bottom. none A·12345
AB·1234
12345·A
1234·AB
A·1234·B
Issued in blocks by county
Oklahoma Embossed yellow numbers on black plate; "54 OKLAHOMA" embossed at bottom. none 1-123456
10-12345
County-coded
Oregon Embossed black numbers on aluminum plate with border line; "OREGON" embossed in black block letters centered above numbers; month of expiration embossed in top left corner. none 123-456 1 to approximately 999-999 "54" revalidation tabs issued to be placed on top right corner of 1951 and 1950 base plates.
Pennsylvania Embossed yellow lettering and state-shaped border on blue base. "1954 PENNA" embossed at top below 3-31-55 expiration date.. none 123AB
Puerto Rico Embossed black serial number on yellow background; black 1953-54 at top and Puerto Rico at bottom both embossed none 12-345
123-456
Rhode Island Embossed black lettering on white base. "RHODE 53 ISLAND" embossed at bottom. none A1234 Black "54" renewal tabs inserted over 53 at bottom center.
South Carolina Embossed white numbers on black plate; "SOUTH CAROLINA 54" embossed in white block letters at bottom. none A-123-456 Coded by weight class (A)
South Dakota Embossed black lettering on white base with Mount Rushmore decal at top. none 1-1234
1-A123
12-1234
12-A123
Coded by county (1 or 10 prefix)
Tennessee Embossed yellow numbers on black state-shaped plate with border line; "TENN. 54" embossed in yellow block letters centered at bottom. none 1-12345
10-1234
1D-12345
10D-1234
(D) in registration indicates vehicles weighing over 3,500 lbs.
Texas
Utah
Vermont Embossed dark green numbers on white plate; "54 VERMONT" embossed in dark green block letters centered at bottom. none 12345
A1234
Virginia Embossed white numbers on black plate; "VIRGINIA 1954" embossed in white block letters at top. none 123-456 1 to approximately 999-999
Washington Embossed white numbers on green plate; "54 WASHINGTON" embossed in white block letters at bottom. none 123-456 A
12-345 AB
County-coded (A or AB)
West Virginia Embossed yellow numbers on black plate with border line; "W. VA. EXP.-6-30-54" embossed in yellow block letters at bottom. none 123-456
Wisconsin Embossed black numbers on golden yellow plate; "WIS" embossed in black block letters in top left corner; month of expiration and "53" embossed in top right corner. "AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND" embossed in black block letters centered at bottom. A12-345 Letter corresponds to month of expiration. Red "54" tabs revalidated 1953 base plate for this year.
Wyoming Embossed black numbers and Bucking Horse and Rider on white plate with border line; "54 WYOMING" embossed in black block letters at bottom. none 1-12345
10-1234
County-coded

Non-passenger plates

Non-passenger  plates  
Image (standard) Region Type Design and slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
Wisconsin Bus Embossed white serial on green plate; "WIS" at top left, "BUS" at top right; "54" at bottom left, quarterly tab at far right A 12 Coded by weight class (A)
Cabin Embossed yellow serial on black plate; "EXP" at top left, "DEC 54" at top right; "WIS CABIN" at bottom 1234 1 to approximately 7000
Dealer Embossed white serial on blue plate; "WIS" at top left, "54" at top right; "DEALER" at bottom A 1234 Dealer number and plate number Number is the dealer number, letters increment every time a new plate is issued to that specific dealer
Disabled veteran Unknown design
Farm Embossed red serial on cream plate; "EXP" at top left, "DEC 54" at top right; "WIS FARM" at bottom 12345 1 to approximately 60000
Heavy farm Embossed red serial on cream plate; "EXP" at top left, "DEC 54" at top right; "WIS FARM" at bottom A 1234 Coded by weight class (A) Weight classes are F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, R, and S. Issued to farm trucks above 12,000lbs.
In transit Embossed white serial on blue plate; "WIS" at top left, "54" at top right; "IN TRANSIT" at bottom AB 12 Transporter number and plate number Number is the transporter number, letters increment every time a new plate is issued to that specific transporter
Manufacturer Embossed white serial on blue plate; "WIS" at top left, "54" at top right, "MANUFACTURER" at bottom AB 12 Manufacturer number and plate number Number is the manufacturer number, letters increment every time a new plate is issued to that specific manufacturer
Motorcycle Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "A WIS 54" at top 1234 1 to approximately 5500
Motorcycle dealer Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "WIS 1954" at top, vertical stacked "DLR" at right AB1, A12 Dealer number and plate number Number is the dealer number, letters increment every time a new plate is issued to that specific dealer
Municipal Embossed green serial on bare aluminum plate; "WIS" at top left, "54" at top right; "MUNICIPAL" at bottom 12345 1 to approximately 14300
Municipal motorcycle Embossed green serial on bare aluminum plate with border line; unknown format M123 M 1 to unknown
Official Embossed green serial on bare aluminum plate; "WIS" at top left, "54" at top right; "OFFICIAL" at bottom 123 1 to unknown
School bus Embossed white serial on green plate; "WIS" at top left, "SCH" at top right; "54" at bottom left, quarterly tab at far right A 12 Coded by weight class (A)
Special-X Embossed green serial on bare aluminum plate; "WIS" at top left, "54" at top right 123 X 1 X to approximately 150 X
Light trailer Embossed yellow serial on black plate; "EXP" at top left, "DEC 54" at top right; "WIS TRAILER" at bottom A 1234 Coded by weight class (A)
Heavy trailer Embossed white serial on green plate; "WIS" at top left, "TRL" at top right; "54" at bottom left, quarterly tab at far right A 123 Coded by weight class (A) Weight classes are E, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, R, S, T, V, and X. Also issued to light trailers for hire in the A, B, C, and D weight classes.
Private semi-trailer Embossed white serial on green plate; "EXP" at top left, "JUN 54" at top right; "WIS TRAILER" at bottom PS 123 PS 1 to unknown (PS 168 high)
Commercial semi-trailer Embossed white serial on green plate; "EXP" at top left, "JUN 54" at top right; "WIS TRAILER" at bottom CS 1234 CS 1 to unknown
Trailer dealer Embossed white serial on blue plate; "WIS" at top left, "54" at top right; "DEALER" at bottom A 12 TL Dealer number and plate number Number is the dealer number, letters increment every time a new plate is issued to that dealer
Light truck Embossed yellow serial on black plate; "EXP" at top left, "DEC 54" at top right; "WIS TRUCK" at bottom A12-345 Coded by weight class (A) Weight classes are A, B, C, and D.
Heavy truck Embossed white serial on green plate; "WIS" at top left, "TRK" at top right; "54" at bottom left; quarterly tab at far right A12345 Coded by weight class (A) Weight classes are E, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, R, S, T, V, and X. Also issued to light trucks for hire in the A, B, C, and D weight classes.

See also

References

  1. ^ Fox, Jams K. (1997). License Plates of the United States: A Pictorial History 1903-To the Present. Jerico, New York: Interstate Directory Publishing Company. ISBN  9781886777002.
  2. ^ Minard, Jeff; Stentiford, Tim (2004). A Moving History, 50 Years Of ALPCA. 100 Years Of License Plates. Paducah, Kentucky: Turner Publishing Company. p. 58. ISBN  1-56311-975-7.
  3. ^ Crisler, Bob; Crisler, Chuck, eds. (2007). License Plate Values (7th ed.). King Publishing Company.
  4. ^ Martells, Jack (1980). Antique Automotive Collectibles. Chicago: Contemporary Books, Inc. pp. 128–145. ISBN  0-8092-7205-9.

External links