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Truck

1914 - 1919

1914 (First year)

Notes

Number Plate

Personalized Plate

Sample Plate

Observed serial range: 20000 - 26235

In 1914, the state set aside numbers 20000 - 39999 from the Passenger series for "Solid Tire" vehicles (trucks). Per newspaper records, the highest Solid Tire number issued was 26452, and the remainder of this block was issued to passenger/rubber tire vehicles.

Metal strip affixed with 1 - 5 stars, indicating weight class. "Maker's Number" etched into the keystone is the equivalent of today's VIN/Vehicle Identification Number. Some had "SPECIAL" instead of a number, the significance of which is unclear, but likely a truck that was produced/put together which was not a part of a vehicle manufacturing facility.

All plates measure 6" x 15 1/4"

Manufactured by Brilliant Manufacturing Co. of Philadelphia, PA

Issued in pairs

Colors: white on black

(1 star)
From Jeff Hinkle

(2 stars)
From Jake Eckenrode

(3 stars)
From Bob Connison

(4 stars)
From Jake Eckenrode

(5 stars)
From Jake Eckenrode

("SPECIAL" Maker's Number)
From Jeff Hinkle

Not offered on this format

1915

Notes

Number Plate

Personalized Plate

Sample Plate

Observed serial range: 20000 - 27791

In 1915, the state set aside numbers 20000 - 29999 from the Passenger series for "Solid Tire" vehicles (trucks). Per newspaper records, 9,115 Solid Tire registrations were issued in 1915. Any unused plates from this reserved block were issued to passenger/rubber tire vehicles.

Metal strip affixed with 1 - 5 stars, indicating weight class. "Maker's Number" etched into the keystone is the equivalent of today's VIN/Vehicle Identification Number. Some had "SPECIAL" instead of a number, the significance of which is unclear, but likely a truck that was produced/put together which was not a part of a vehicle manufacturing facility.

All plates measure 6" x 15 1/4"

Manufactured by Brilliant Manufacturing Co. of Philadelphia, PA

Issued in pairs

Colors: white on light blue

(1 star)
From Boyertown Auto Museum

(2 stars)
From Jake Eckenrode

(3 stars)
From Tim Gierschick

(4 stars)
From Jake Eckenrode

(5 stars)
From Jake Eckenrode

Not offered on this format

1916

Notes

Number Plate

Personalized Plate

Sample Plate

Observed serial range:
1 star: 20000 - 21901
2 stars: 21945 - 23445
3 stars: 23562 - 26677
4 stars: 27348 - 28749
5 stars: 29556 - 29999
3 stars (overflow): 03371 - 04299
5 stars (overflow): 43251 (unconfirmed)

Weight class stars embossed on left. Number etched into the keystone is the equivalent of today's VIN/Vehicle Identification Number. Metal strip added when new vehicle is purchased mid-year (transfered number, see "21901" to the right).

All plates measure 6" x 16"

Manufactured by Brilliant Manufacturing Co. of Philadelphia, PA

Issued in pairs

Colors: black on orange

(1 star)
From Jeff Hinkle

(2 stars)
From Clayton Moore

(3 stars)
From Bill Krellner

(4 stars)
From Eric Tanner

(5 stars)
From Jake Eckenrode

Not offered on this format

1917

Notes

Number Plate

Personalized Plate

Sample Plate

Observed serial range:

S1 - S1999 (1 star)
S15000 - S15199 (1 star, overflow)
S20000 - S20040 (1 star, overflow)

S2000 - S4499 (2 stars)
S15200 - S15999 (2 stars, overflow)
S20046 - S20048 (2 stars, overflow)

S4500 - S10499 (3 stars)
S16000 - S19374 (3 stars, overflow)
S19500 - S19599 (3 stars, overflow)
S19650 - S19677 (3 stars, overflow

S10500 - S12499 (4 stars)
S14400 - S14999 (4 stars, overflow)
S19375 - S19499 (4 stars, overflow)
S19600 - S19623 (4 stars, overflow)
S21000 - S21099 (4 stars, overflow)

S12500 - S14399 (5 stars)
S19625 - S19649 (5 stars, overflow)
S19735 - S19742 (5 stars, overflow)

A registration book for 1917 is known, therefore more serial date is known for this year than most years. The following numbers were never issued: S19624, S19678 - S19734, S19743 - S19999, S20041 - S20045, S20049, S20075 - S20199, S20600 - S20999

Plate numbers S1 - S13 were registered to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Early plates had "PENNA", later plates had "PA". Highest observed with "PENNA" is "S6355", lowest observed with "PA" is "S8799".

Weight class stars embossed on left. Number etched into the keystone is the equivalent of today's VIN/Vehicle Identification Number. Metal strip added when new vehicle is purchased mid-year (transfered number, see "S14434" to the right).

Plates measure:
S79 - S757: 6" x 14"
S1296 and up: 6" x 16"
This is the general range. There are a few exceptions, see photos to the right below the horizontal line.

Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons

Issued in pairs

Colors: white on brown

(1 star)
From Eric Tanner & Jeff Hinkle

(2 stars)
From Boyertown Auto Museum

(3 stars)
From Peter Cohen

(4 stars)
From Jake Eckenrode

(5 stars)
From Jake Eckenrode

(16" length for plate number in serial range of 14" length; "PA" used in serial range where "PENNA" was used)
From eBay (51jnj61)

(14" length for plate number in serial range of 16" length)
From eBay (charlesgilbertantiquetoys)

(Mid-year weight class change)
From Worthpoint

Not offered on this format

1918

Notes

Number Plate

Personalized Plate

Sample Plate

Observed serial range:

1 star: C488 - C1068
2 stars: C3147 - C7698
3 stars: C8564 - C22694
4 stars: C25687 - C27050
5 stars: C30919 - C32367
3 stars (overflow): C35129 - C38294

Weight class stars embossed on left. Number etched into the keystone is the equivalent of today's VIN/Vehicle Identification Number. Metal strip added when new vehicle is purchased mid-year (transfered number).

Plates measure:
- C1 - C99: 6" x 10"
- C100 - C999: 6" x 13 1/2"
- C1000 - C99999: 6" x 16"

Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons

Issued in pairs

Colors: white on dark blue

(1 star)
From eBay (anspadl2007)

(2 stars)
From Jeff Hinkle

(3 stars)
From John Anshant & John Willard

(4 stars)
From Jake Eckenrode

(5 stars)
From Jake Eckenrode

(Wide spacing between "C" and number)
From Jeff Francis

Not offered on this format

1919

Notes

Number Plate

Personalized Plate

Sample Plate

Observed serial range:
1 star: C47 - C745
2 stars: C5850 - C16742
3 stars: C20995 - C38479
4 stars: C50576 - C54492
5 stars: C60842 - C61896

Weight class stars embossed on right. Number etched into the keystone is the equivalent of today's VIN/Vehicle Identification Number. Metal strip added when new vehicle is purchased mid-year (transfered number).

Plates measure:
- C1 - C9: 6" x 10"
- C10 - C999: 6" x 13 1/2"
- C1000 - C99999: 6" x 16"

Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons

Issued in pairs

Colors: red on black