How the Bicentennial Changed American License Plates Forever
When America started planning its 200th birthday, and a handful of state DMVs made license plate design history, making striking changes to standard issue plates.
While the American Bicentennial inspired parades and fireworks, it also gave license plate designers the clearance to get creative, and plates on the road have never been the same since.
Pennsylvania Got There First
While many Bicentennial plates hit roads in 1975 and 1976, Pennsylvania was years ahead of the curve. In 1971, the state issued a plate commemorating the upcoming 200th anniversary, featuring a graphic of the Liberty Bell and the slogan “Bicentennial State ’76.” Like it's predecessors, it was still an embossed yellow-on-blue painted plate, but the intent to mark the milestone was clear.
As early as 1974, patriotic red, white, and blue color schemes began appearing. Of course Washington DC led the way here along with South Dakota. South Dakota’s 1974 issue holds a special distinction: it is widely considered the first true “graphic” plate ever issued in the United States.
Which States Actually Issued Bicentennial Plates
Not every state participated, and the ones that did took different approaches. Here are the 18 states and jurisdictions that issued Bicentennial registration plates:
- Alaska
- Colorado
- Washington, DC (issued 1975)
- Georgia (specialty issue)
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Maryland (specialty issue)
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania (issued 1971)
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Virginia (specialty issue)
- Wyoming
Georgia, Maryland, and Virginia issued specialty plates rather than changing their standard registration issue, which makes their Bicentennial plates a distinct find for collectors. They were never handed to every driver, so surviving examples are a bit harder to come across.
Stickers Counted Too
Not every state that wanted to acknowledge the Bicentennial had the budget or appetite to redesign its plates. Several states took a lighter approach, issuing Bicentennial-themed registration stickers instead of new base plates.
These stickers are easy to overlook, but they tell an important part of the story. Some fun examples of celebratory graphics on stickers being Washington and Rhode Island’s Minuteman and New Mexico’s American Flag. Some states issued red, white, and/or blue stickers that were applied to their existing two-color plates, producing some (perhaps) unintentional patriotic flair. Examples of this are Nevada, issued red 77 stickers on its white-on-blue plates, while Massachusetts and Arkansas had blue stickers on red on white plates.
For collectors building a complete Bicentennial set, plates with the appropriate stickers are worth pursuing for a “true” display. A plate displayed with its correct period stickers tells a more complete story than a bare base!
The Plates That Stayed on the Road
After 1976, Bicentennial plates began trickling off American roads as registration cycles turned over. Washington DC, Georgia, Montana, and Virginia were four of the last Bicentennial plates that remained through the mid-1980s.
Montana’s plate held on until 1991, a remarkable 15-year run, the longest of the standard issue plates. However, Virginia’s outlasted them all! The Virginia Bicentennial plate STILL remains available for registration renewals, and examples with stickers as recent as the mid-2010s are documented. What an extraordinary lifespan for a plate tied to a single commemorative event!
Why These Plates Matter
Looking at old literature (by plate collectors and otherwise) from the mid-1970s and you can feel the excitement. State after state was introducing graphic plates where none had existed before. The fully embossed two-color plate, the standard for decades, was changing.
The Bicentennial produced a set of collectible plates and unlocked new design methods for state DMVs and opened the door to every scenic, wildlife, and specialty plate that followed. Collectors who want to understand a transition in US license plate designs need to start with 1976!
Adding Bicentennial Plates to Your Collection
These plates are approachable for collectors at most levels. Most common state issues like Illinois or Indiana turn up regularly at swap meets. The specialty issues from Georgia, Maryland, and Virginia require a little more patience but can be found with some searching. Pennsylvania’s 1971 issue is a favorite, but are pretty readily available in the collecting world as well.
Of course, we have many (if not all) of these Bicentennial plates currently available in the shop at LicensePlateCollecting.com, and if there’s a specific state you’re chasing, reach out. Finding the perfect home for each plate is what this is all about.