Prestates

The term prestate can be confusing because its meaning
can vary from state to state. In Arizona's case, it means any
license plate issued before the state-issued plates appeared
in January 1914. So it includes all the plates before statehood
in February 1912 as well as the 2 year period after statehood.
Our good neighbor to the East, New Mexico, started issuing
state-issued plates immediately upon statehood in Jan. 1912
so their prestates are strictly anything before their statehood.

Shortly after Arizona became a state in 1912, motorists were required
to register their vehicles with the Secretary of State and upon doing
so were issued a 2 inch diameter aluminum disk
stamped with a registration number. The disk was required to be
mounted somewhere on the vehicle usually on the dashboard.
Since the State only issued disks and not plates from 1912 to 1914, it was
the responsibility of the motorist himself to come up with a license plate
with a number matching the number on the disk. He could either
purchase one from various private businesses, or even make it himself.
The plates were made from a variety of materials including wood, leather,
and metal. The numerals were to be at least 3 inches high and
1/2 inch wide along with the state initials ARZ. Registration
disks also accompanied state-issued plates from 1914 thru 1916
and then were discontinued. Motorcycle registrants were also
issued disks during this same period. (See MC, 1914-)

-----Tucson City plate made of porcelain.

------Both plate and postcard circa 1910

( Click on plate for larger image )

Prior to statehood in 1912, some cities issued their own plates. Tucson
Phoenix and Prescott plates are known. For unknown reasons, Prescott
continued to use a city plate beyond 1920.

Phoenix City Plate, circa 1910 (From the Greg Gibson collection)

A rare look at a Phoenix city plate like the #243 on the left.
Vehicle photo was taken in Mesa City at Statehood Day festivities.
CLICK on them for Larger Images.

( Photo above courtesy of Mesa Southwest Museum )

At right, another early City of Phoenix plate (Circa 1908) ( Photo from the Az Historical Society, CAD)

1912 Arizona leather plate.

(From private collection)

1913 metal plate

(From private collection)

The metallic characters had tabs that were inserted into the upper and lower slots.

1912-1925 Passenger Pics
1926-1937 Passenger Pics
1938-1955 Passenger Pics
1956-2004 Passenger Pics