History Pages →
Passenger
It should be noted that the state first issued plates in 1906, and plates from 1906 thru 1909 were assigned to the driver rather than the vehicle. The first year that registrations were issued was 1903, done by counties and a few individual cities. To see these earlier plates, see "Pre-State".
A big thank you to Eric Tanner's "All About License Plates website for a lot of the information presented on these Passenger pages.
1930 - 1939
1930
| Notes | Number Plate | Personalized Plate | Sample Plate |
|
Serial formats: - 1 - 99999 A, then A1 - Z9999 ("B" follows "A9999", etc.) 0A - 9A, then 1A0 - 9A9, then 1A000 - 9A999 - (Then 0B - 9B, etc.) 00A - 99A, then 10A0 - 99A9, then 10A00 - 99A99 - (Then 00B - 99B, etc.) 000A - 999A, then 100A0 - 0A999 - (Then 000B - 999B, etc.) 0000A - 9999Z AA, then AA1 - AA999 ("AB" follows AA999, "BA" follows AZ999) 0AA - 9AA, then 1AA0 - 9AA9, then 1AA00 - 9AA99 - (Then 0AB all the way thru 9AB99, "BA" follows 9AZ99, etc.) Observed high: 8CJ55 Plates measure: - 1 - 4 characters: 6" x 10" - 5 characters: 6" x 12" A fairly complex serial number system was introduced in 1930. Generally speaking, letters advance last, and in the case of multiple letters, the rightmost letter is the first letter to advance. See above. No I, O, Q, T, W, or X used. Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons Issued in pairs Colors: dark blue on gold Number 1 is reserved for the Governor |
 From anonymous  From Jim Moini  From John Anshant & John Willard  From John Willard  From John Willard |
Not offered on this format |  From Paul Bagnarol |
1931
| Notes | Number Plate | Personalized Plate | Sample Plate |
|
Serial formats: - 1 - 99999 - A, then A1 - Z9999 ("B" follows "A9999", etc.) - 0A - 9A, then 1A0 - 9A9, then 1A000 - 9A999 (then 0B - 9B, etc.) - 00A - 99A, then 10A0 - 99A9, then 10A00 - 99A99 (then 00B - 99B, etc.) - 000A - 999A, then 100A0 - 0A999 (then 000B - 999B, etc.) - 0000A - 9999Z - AA, then AA1 - AA999 ("AB" follows AA999, "BA" follows AZ999) - 0AA - 9AA, then 1AA0 - 9AA9, then 1AA00 - 9AA99 (then 0AB all the way thru 9AB99, "BA" follows 9AZ99, etc.) Observed high: 6AH79 Plates measure: - 1 - 4 characters: 6" x 10" - 5 characters: 6" x 12" A fairly complex serial number system was introduced in 1930. Generally speaking, letters advance last, and in the case of multiple letters, the rightmost letter is the first letter to advance. See above. No I, O, Q, T, W, or X used. Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons Issued in pairs Colors: gold on dark blue Number 1 is reserved for the Governor |
 From Eric Tanner  From Tim Gierschick  From Jeff Lesher  From Worthpoint  From Runkle's Notary |
Not offered on this format |  From Mike Sells |
|
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Several 1- and 2-digit plates, along with "UA", with unpainted aluminum featured over a dark blue background are known to exist. They are likely test plates. |
 From Clayton Moore   From Ned Flynn  From Jeff Lesher  From John Willard |
1932
| Notes | Number Plate | Personalized Plate | Sample Plate |
|
Serial formats: - 1 - 99999 - A, then A1 - Z9999 ("B" follows "A9999", etc.) - 0A - 9A, then 1A0 - 9A9, then 1A000 - 9A999 (then 0B - 9B, etc.) - 00A - 99A, then 10A0 - 99A9, then 10A00 - 99A99 (then 00B - 99B, etc.) - 000A - 999A, then 100A0 - 0A999 (then 000B - 999B, etc.) - 0000A - 9999Z - AA, then AA1 - AA999 ("AB" follows AA999, "BA" follows AZ999) - 0AA - 9AA, then 1AA0 - 9AA9, then 1AA00 - 9AA99 (then 0AB all the way thru 9AB99, "BA" follows 9AZ99, etc.) Observed high: 3BK09 Plates measure: - 1 - 4 characters: 6" x 10" - 5 characters: 6" x 12" A fairly complex serial number system was introduced in 1930. Generally speaking, letters advance last, and in the case of multiple letters, the rightmost letter is the first letter to advance. See above. No I, O, Q, T, W, or X used. Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons Issued in pairs Colors: dark blue on gold Number 1 is reserved for the Governor |
 From Tim Gierschick  From eBay (mintcandy621)  From Pl8source.com  From Worthpoint |
Not offered on this format | From Mike Sells  From Jeff Lesher |
1933
| Notes | Number Plate | Personalized Plate | Sample Plate |
|
Serial formats: - 1 - 99999 - A, then A1 - Z9999 ("B" follows "A9999", etc.) - 0A - 9A, then 1A0 - 9A9, then 1A000 - 9A999 (then 0B - 9B, etc.) - 00A - 99A, then 10A0 - 99A9, then 10A00 - 99A99 (then 00B - 99B, etc.) - 000A - 999A, then 100A0 - 0A999 (then 000B - 999B, etc.) - 0000A - 9999Z - AA, then AA1 - AA999 ("AB" follows AA999, "BA" follows AZ999) Observed high: SY282 Plates measure: - 1 - 4 characters: 6" x 10" - 5 characters: 6" x 12" Some plates have "1933 PENNA" instead of "PENNA 1933", due to an error at the Pennsylvania prisons, according to a news article in 1933. These are mixed in with the regular "PENNA 1933" so there are no serial blocks to report; in fact, the aforementioned article said that there was about a 1-in-5 chance of getting one of these "1933 PENNA" plates! See "86709" to the right for an example. A fairly complex serial number system was introduced in 1930. Generally speaking, letters advance last, and in the case of multiple letters, the rightmost letter is the first letter to advance. See above. No I, O, Q, T, W, or X used. Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons Issued in pairs Colors: gold on dark blue Number 1 is reserved for the Governor |
 From Tim Gierschick  (Reversed legend) From Tim Gierschick  From Tom Pollok  From eBay (carstuffstore)  From John Anshant |
Not offered on this format |  From Jeff Hinkle |
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION This was an experimental or test plate, made of aluminum with a reflective year tab riveted to the plate. The color is burnt orange or copper, while the embossed features are not painted. The reverse is also painted orange. The tab appears to contain the year, 33, and a serial number A25369. Plate measures 6" x 10". |
 From John Lemons |
1934
| Notes | Number Plate | Personalized Plate | Sample Plate |
|
Serial formats: - 1 - 99999 - A, then A1 - Z9999 ("B" follows "A9999", etc.) - 0A - 9A, then 1A0 - 9A9, then 1A000 - 9A999 (then 0B - 9B, etc.) - 00A - 99A, then 10A0 - 99A9, then 10A00 - 99A99 (then 00B - 99B, etc.) - 000A - 999A, then 100A0 - 0A999 (then 000B - 999B, etc.) - 0000A - 9999Z - AA, then AA1 - AA999 ("AB" follows AA999, "BA" follows AZ999) Observed high: YL795 Plates measure: - 1 - 4 characters: 6" x 10" - 5 characters: 6" x 12" A fairly complex serial number system was introduced in 1930. Generally speaking, letters advance last, and in the case of multiple letters, the rightmost letter is the first letter to advance. See above. No I, O, Q, T, W, or X used. A new set of dies was introduced in 1934 Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons Issued in pairs Colors: dark blue on gold Number 1 is reserved for the Governor |
 From Tim Gierschick  From Eric Tanner  From Scott Leitheise  From John Willard |
Not offered on this format |  From Paul Bagnarol |
1935
| Notes | Number Plate | Personalized Plate | Sample Plate |
|
Serial formats: - 1 - 99999 - A, then A1 - Z9999 ("B" follows "A9999", etc.) - 0A - 9A, then 1A0 - 9A9, then 1A000 - 9A999 (then 0B - 9B, etc.) - 00A - 99A, then 10A0 - 99A9, then 10A00 - 99A99 (then 00B - 99B, etc.) - 000A - 999A, then 100A0 - 0A999 (then 000B - 999B, etc.) - 0000A - 9999Z - AA, then AA1 - AA999 ("AB" follows AA999, "BA" follows AZ999) - 0AA - 9AA, then 1AA0 - 9AA9, then 1AA00 - 9AA99 (then 0AB all the way thru 9AB99, "BA" follows 9AZ99, etc.) Observed high: 3BG08 Plates measure: - 1 - 4 characters: 6" x 10" - 5 characters: 6" x 12" A fairly complex serial number system was introduced in 1930. Generally speaking, letters advance last, and in the case of multiple letters, the rightmost letter is the first letter to advance. See above. No I, O, Q, T, W, or X used. Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons Issued in pairs Colors: gold on dark blue Number 1 is reserved for the Governor |
 From Josh Vanchure  FromeBay (yosteveyo)  From John Anshant & John Willard  From Ed Levine |
Not offered on this format |  From Paul Bagnarol |
1936
| Notes | Number Plate | Personalized Plate | Sample Plate |
|
Serial formats: - 21001 - 31000, then 32001 - 99999 - A100 - Z9999 ("B100" follows "A9999", etc.) - 1A00 - 9Z999 ("1A000" follows "9A99", etc.) - 10A0 - 99Z99 ("10A00" follows "99A9", etc.) - 000A - 999Z9 ("100A0" follows "999A") - 0000A - 9999Z - AA10 - ZZ999 - 1AA0 - 9ZZ99 ("1AA00" follows "9AA9", etc.) Observed high: 1JC5 Plates measure: - 4 characters: 6" x 10" - 5 characters: 6" x 12" Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons Issued in pairs Colors: dark blue on gold |
 From Tim Gierschick  From Jeff Hinkle  From eBay (bgibso29)  From Worthpoint |
Not offered on this format |  From Paul Bagnarol |
1937
| Notes | Number Plate | Personalized Plate | Sample Plate |
|
Serial formats: - 10000 - 99999 - A100 - Z9999 ("B100" follows "A9999", etc.) - 1A00 - 9Z999 ("1A000" follows "9A99", etc.) - 10A0 - 99Z99 ("10A00" follows "99A9", etc.) - 000A - 999Z9 ("100A0" follows "999A") - 0000A - 9999Z - AA10 - ZZ999 - 1AA0 - 9ZZ99 ("1AA00" follows "9AA9", etc.) Observed high: 4PV52 The 31000 block was reserved for "Official" plates In 1937 a small run of plates was produced where the legend was flanked by keystones. The observed range is 3MK01 - 2PB08. Highest observed serial without keystones before keystone run is 5MC89, lowest observed serial without keystones after keystone run is 9PF72. Plates measure: - 4 characters: 6" x 10" - 5 characters: 6" x 12" Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons Issued in pairs Colors: gold on dark blue |
 From Worthpoint  From Worthpoint  From Worthpoint  (With keystones, see notes) From Tim Gierschick |
Not offered on this format |  From John Anshant & John Willard |
1938
| Notes | Number Plate | Personalized Plate | Sample Plate |
|
Serial formats: - 10001 - 99999 - A100 - Z9999 ("B100" follows "A9999", etc.) - 1A00 - 9Z999 ("1A000" follows "9A99", etc.) - 10A0 - 99Z99 ("10A00" follows "99A9", etc.) - 000A - 999Z9 ("100A0" follows "999A") - 0000A - 9999Z - AA10 - ZZ999 - 1AA0 - 9ZZ99 ("1AA00" follows "9AA9", etc.) Observed high: 5PY57 The 31000 (and possibly 32000) block was reserved for "Official" plates The first number issued for 1938 is 10001, however it was 10000 for 1937 Plates measure: - 4 characters: 6" x 10" - 5 characters: 6" x 12" Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons Issued in pairs Colors: dark blue on gold |
 From Bill Krellner  From Worthpoint  From Chuck Sakryd  From unknown |
Not offered on this format |  From Paul Bagnarol |
1939
| Notes | Number Plate | Personalized Plate | Sample Plate |
|
Serial formats: - 10001 - 99999 - A100 - Z9999 ("B100" follows "A9999", etc.) - 1A00 - 9Z999 ("1A000" follows "9A99", etc.) - 10A0 - 99Z99 ("10A00" follows "99A9", etc.) - 000A - 999Z9 ("100A0" follows "999A") - 0000A - 9999Z - AA10 - ZZ999 - 1AA0 - 9ZZ99 ("1AA00" follows "9AA9", etc.) Observed high: 7ZL34 Plates measure: - 4 characters: 6" x 10" - 5 characters: 6" x 12" Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons Issued in pairs Colors: gold on dark blue |
 From eBay (alpca3217)  From eBay (wonderplumber)  From eBay (mintcandy621)  From unknown |
Not offered on this format |  From Eric Tanner5PY57 |