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Collecting Political and Low-Number License Plates

New York Governor
New York Governor
Kentucky Chief Justice
Kentucky Chief Justice

Ever since the days of early motor vehicle registration there has always been fierce competition among drivers to obtain a low-number license plate. In many states, to many motorists, bearing a low-number plate has an instant connotation of status, power, wealth and even political connections. While there are some states where this phenomenon is more prevalent than others, here I will examine the collectability of the elusive political license plate.

Arkansas House Parlament
Arkansas House Parlament
Arkasas House of Representatives
Arkansas House of Reps
Arkansas Secretary of State
Ark. Secretary of State
Arkansas Speaker of the House
Ark. Speaker of the House
Arkansas Senator
Arkansas Senator
Connecticut Congress
Connecticut Congress
Idaho Governor
Idaho Governor
Illinois House
Illinois House

As soon as license plates were adopted for use on automobiles, very often it was the governor, motor vehicle commissioner or some other political person of influence who would receive low-number license plates. It is true that traditionally the governor of each state does receive a license plate bearing the number one. As time passed, and the number of license categories has proliferated (i.e. passenger car, bus, truck, motorcycle, veteran, senate, purple heart, handicapped, etc.), we now have low-number and number one license plates for many of these categories.

Here I will use the state of Rhode Island as a prime example. In Rhode Island, not only does the governor use the number one registration (this particular plate bearing the number one flanked by two state seals), but look at the other categories of number ones: Sheriff, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, School Bus, Purple Heart, Ex Prisoner of War, News Photographer, State Police , etc.). Collectors always get excited over a number one license plate, and when it comes to collectability, it seems that the political plates are the most sought after.

In our post September-11th world, fewer political figures are using political license plates. Many simply do not want to be a possible target of an attack or crime, and therefore prefer to keep a low profile. As such, political license plates have become a bit mores scarce these days. Of course, those using these plates never seem to have a problem when it comes to parking!

Idaho U.S. Representative
Idaho U.S. Rep.
North Carolina House
North Carolina House
New Hampshire Governor
N.H. Governor
Maine Horseless Carriage
Maine Horseless Crg.
Tennessee Legislature
Tennessee Legislature
New York U.S. Congress
N.Y. U.S. Congress
Tennessee U.S. Senate
Tennessee U.S. Senate
New York U.S. Senate
New York U.S. Senate

Number “1” and or governor license plates can usually be found in nice condition and, depending on the state, can sell for between $50 and $500 each. Senate and legislative plates with higher numbers can often be found for as little as $15-$25 each. Often a collector will ask the political figure to autograph the license plate.

In the low-number realm, certain states have a policy that allows a low-number plate to be willed to a family member (this is true in almost all of the New England states) and others, such as Delaware, have a policy that dictates that a license plate remains with the vehicle when the vehicle is sold. As a direct result, Delaware has created a scenario where the pursuit of a low-number plate is somewhat of a religion. Often, one can see a vehicle for sale for several thousands dollars more than its true worth, simply because there is a hefty premium on the attached low-number license plate.

Rhode Island Governor
Rhode Island Governor
Rhode Island House
Rhode Island House
Rhode Island Purple Heart
R.I. Purple Heart
Rhode Island Sheriff
Rhode Island Sheriff
Rhose Island U.S. House
Rhose Island House
Rhode Island U.S. Senate
Rhode Island Senate
Rhode Island State Police
R.I. State Police
New Jersey Governor
New Jersey Governor

On Feb. 7, 2008 the number “6” registration was sold in Delaware for a record $675,000. It is important to note here that in these cases it is the rights to the registration and not the actual license plate as a collectible is what command such a high price.

So you may ask at this point, what license plate does the president of the United States use in the District of Columbia? Currently, President Barack Obama’s car (alias “The Beast”) bears a generic Washington, D.C. license plate. It is actually the mayor of Washington .D.C., Muriel Bowser, who is assigned the number one license plate!

Maine Indian Representative
Maine House Indian Representative
Maryland House of Delegates
Maryland House of Delegates
Rhode Island News Photographer
Rhode Island News Photographer
New Hampshire Governor's Council
New Hampshire Governor’s Council
Texas U.S. Senate
Texas U.S. Senate
Utah U.S. Senator
Utah U.S. Senator
Vermont Senate
Vermont Senate
Utah Governor
Utah Governor

Political and low-number plates are interesting and challenging categories for collectors of both license plates and political memorabilia. If these areas is of particular interest to you, be prepared to write a lot of letters!


Andy Bernstein is a Worthologist who specializes in collectible license plates.

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