Connecticut License Plates

1937-1956
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Passenger plates on the Black & Silver series.

In 1937, Connecticut pioneered two innovations in license plates that have become commonplace today. The First is the use of a "Multi-year" permanent base plate. Renewals would be issued year "tabs". Second was the introduction of "Initial" or "Vanity" plates to the general public. Although similar in design, these black on silver plates would see several updates up till 1956. Shown here are examples of these types.

1937
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Above: A 37 example. All previous plates were re-issued on this new base. The first type all wore the word CONN on the right vertically.

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1938

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Above: 1938 Passenger
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1939

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Above: 1939 Passenger
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1940

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Above: 1940 Passenger
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1941

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Above: 1941 Passenger
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1942

 

 

1943

 

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1944

 

 

1945

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Above: 1945 Number over letter variation. Our guess is that the "Z over Z" 999 was reached so they started this series. Nobody seems to know the letter & number significance.

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1946

 

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1947

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Above: 1947. Last year of this base. (Cichon collection)

 

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1948

 

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1948 Tab

1949

 

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1950

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1951

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1952

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1953

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1954

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1955
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Above: 1955 new registrations started with the AA-1000 series.
Note the CT abbreviation used.
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Above: Sometime in 55 the "CT" became "CONN"
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1956

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Above: 1956 ran the BA-1000 series up thru BH-1000 on this "Black on Silver" base series.
The BJ-1000 series would resume on the Next "Blue" series.

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In 1948, the base was revised to use the letters "CT" on the lower right instead of the previous CONN. These new plates wore a yellowish "Scotchlite" reflective coating.

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Above: 5-digit plates were introduced with a new white "Scotchlite" reflective coating.

Gregs' plate

Above: Another variation. Letter over number series in light gray "Scotchlite" were issued to new registrations.
(GL collection)

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Beware of incorrect tab inserts when buying these plates!
We are trying to be careful to post only "Natural" issue plates.