Arizona License Plate, 1973

Summary

Early state-issued license plates were made of porcelain-coated iron. Later, states stamped tin, steel, or even copper to make plates. During the Second World War several states used fiberboard. Plate colors varied and some states added symbols, mottoes, or other design elements. Today, states use reflective sheeting to coat a standard-sized aluminum blank which is then stamped and decorated.

Early state-issued license plates were made of porcelain-coated iron. Later, states stamped tin, steel, or even copper to make plates. During the Second World War several states used fiberboard. Plate colors varied and some states added symbols, mottoes, or other design elements. Today, states use reflective sheeting to coat a standard-sized aluminum blank which is then stamped and decorated.

Artifact

License plate

Date Made

1973

Creators

Arizona. Dept. of Transportation 

Creator Notes

Made for the Arizona Department of Transportation

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2011.0.24.5

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford

Material

Aluminum (Metal)

Color

Tan (Color)
Green

Dimensions

Height: 6 in

Width: 12.125 in

Inscriptions

Stamped on front: ARIZONA 73 / PMD-869 / GRAND CANYON STATE Sticker, upper left corner: SEP Sticker, upper right: AZ74 / 27855 Sticker, lower right: AZ87 / FF7243

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