[Fig. 1] President Taft visiting school children in Salem, Ore. 1911. Photo courtesy of Oregon Digital.
On June 1st, 1911, the first dated license plate was issued in Oregon. Previously, the State of Oregon had issued registration numbers to motorists who could get an optional license plate, to read more about Oregon’s undated plates, click here. This dated plate was the first plate issued to every motorist in Oregon. 1911 was the only year a plate was issued for 7 months, June 1 – December 31, 1911. Starting on January 1st, motorists could be issued the 1912 plate (pictured below).
[Fig. 2] The last known undated plate to be issued. This plate was issued to A.S. Peterson of Portland on May 31, 1911. The next day the state began issuing dated 1911 license plates. (The Kropf Collection)
[Fig. 3] A restored pair of 1911 Oregon plates. Unlike its predecessor, 1911 plates were issued in pairs.
With a shorter issuance window, you might think fewer plates would be issued in 1911, but that wasn’t the case. We know from archival data that at least 6,166 plates were issued in 1911. This is almost the same amount as the total number of vehicles registered from 1905-1910 (6,481). On top of being required, another major change from the undated plates was that plates were issued in pairs in 1911. It was the first time motorists were required to have a plate on the front and back of their vehicles. Registration fees depended on the vehicle's horsepower, so a 90-horsepower Mercedes Tourer would have paid more than a 20-horsepower Ford Model T.
[Fig. 4] A restored low-digit 1911 Oregon.
[Fig. 5] A restored low-digit 1912 Oregon.
1911 and 1912 share the same design and are the only two years to look like this. These plates were issued to all vehicle types. It wasn’t until 1913 that alternate license plate types were introduced (and there is some dispute about that). They are believed to have been produced by Pacific Coast, the same company that produced the undated Oregon plates, though at this time, that is unconfirmed in public records. There are some similarities in the dies used for the letters and numbers, but the construction of these plates differs from the undated plates. While the undated has the stamped front and a back piece that are soldered together, the 1911 and 1912 are just one piece of stamped steel. Pacific Coast likely learned their lesson after producing the earlier plates, as the simplified one-piece design was much lighter than the undated plate.
[Fig. 6] An original 1912. The paint on this plate looks like rust, but the paint used for this year often browned with oxidation.
[Fig. 7] A restored 1912 Oregon. This plate is the highest confirmed number issued in 1912.
The 1912 plate is distinct for its mint green color. This color tended to brown or darken, so it is pretty difficult to find high-quality originals today. From 1911 to 1912, registration numbers jumped from 6,166 in 1911 to 9,986 in 1912. Along with a growing population and better vehicle access, more and more Oregon residents were registering vehicles. This would be the last year that Oregon registered under 10,000 motorists. Oregon 1911 & 1912 license plates are a unique part of Oregon's rich license plate history. Do you have one of these historic plates in your collection?
Which Color Do You Prefer?
1911 Yellow
1912 Green
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