Vehicle registration plates of the United States for 1954
Appearance
Vehicle registration plates of the United States by year | ||
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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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Crisler, Bob; Crisler, Chuck, eds. (2007). License Plate Values (7th ed.). King Publishing Company.
- ^ Martells, Jack (1980). Antique Automotive Collectibles. Chicago: Contemporary Books, Inc. pp. 128–145. ISBN 0-8092-7205-9.