Prestates

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

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

-----------(Plate from the R. J. Pack collection)

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)

Shortly after statehood in 1912, Arizona 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-)

1912 Arizona leather plate.

(From the R. J. Pack collection)

(2) 1913 metal plates.

This 1913 shows a faint image of where the numeral 4 was mounted between the 3 & 2.
The metallic characters had tabs that were inserted into the upper and lower slots.

( Tucson, 1912, and upper 1913 plate from the R.J. Pack collection.)

Lower 1913 from the Arizona Historical Society Museum Collection,
Southern Az Division, Tucson

1914-1925 Passenger Pics
1926-1937 Passenger Pics
1938-1955 Passenger Pics
1956-2004 Passenger Pics