Presidential Inaugural Plates
A Series of Special Event, Limited-Use Plates
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Most individuals that are familiar with presidential inaugural plates know that there have been substantial changes to the inaugural plate program since 1985, and especially for the inaugurations of 2005 and 2009. In light of these changes, DCplates.net feels compelled to present its definition of what constitutes a presidential inaugural plate. Whether we consider any particular future plate with an inaugural theme to be a presidential inaugural plate in the spirit of plates made since 1933 will be determined simply based upon whether it meets our definition.
The primary purpose of presidential inaugural plates has always been to identify official vehicles involved in official activities on (and perhaps within a day or two before and after) inauguration day. Whether the plates were offered to the general public, and (if so) whether corresponding temporary registration certificates were available that allowed them to be used in lieu of or in conjunction with valid D.C. or state-issued license plates, is not a determinant in our definition.
Presidential Inaugural Plates Defined
To be considered a presidential inaugural plate, a plate design for a particular inauguration need have been used on at least one (but preferably more) official vehicles involved directly in official inaugural activities. Official vehicles are vehicles under the control of federal officials or their designees (e.g. members of the administration transition team, the inaugural committee, and federal and municipal law enforcement agencies), whether owned by, leased to, or otherwise provided to federal officials or their designees. Official inaugural activities are activities and events organized or sanctioned by the Presidential Inaugural Committee, such as the pre-inaugural concert, inaugural church services attended by the president-elect, the trip from The White House to the U.S. Capitol by the president and president-elect on inauguration day, and the inaugural parade and balls.
General Inaugural Plate History
Special-event plates were first used to commemorate the inauguration of President Roosevelt in 1933, and with the exception of 1945, they have been used ever since. All inaugural plates, except those made since 1989 for use on motorcycles, have been made in pairs.
From the standpoint of being available to the general public, available historical information suggests that inaugural plates were first offered at least as early as 1949. No registration certificates for 1933 plates, of which 500 sets are thought to have been made, are known to exist, suggesting that the first plates were not available to the public, but instead were used only on official vehicles. Likewise, even though registration certificates for 1937 and 1941 plates are known to exist today, those preserved were assigned to dignitaries and VIPs, suggesting that the fewer than 1,000 pairs made for each year were not available to the general public.
Unfortunately official records that indicate to whom presidential inaugural pates were issued over the years are almost non-existent. With the exception of 1957, for which a copy of nearly every inaugural registration certificate exists, there are no known records of exactly how many plates were issued and to whom. Occasionally a registration certificate is found with a plate, but these instances are rare. As for the quantity of plates produced every four years no exact production figures are known, although numbers on surviving examples provide excellent clues to estimate the number made. This is especially true for 1933 through 1969, when only numbered plates were made available to the general public. At least some plates of all later series include letters, complicating the process of estimating production runs. The early, pre-1961 plates, made in smaller quantities and with classic designs, are the more rare and desirable to collectors today.
Sample inaugural plates, with zeros in place of a standard number, are known to have been made for every issue from 1933 through 2001, as well as for some of the 2005 and 2009 designs. Examples of all except the first are known to have been preserved by collectors. Registration certificates are know for all issues from 1937 through 2001 and mailing envelopes for plates of most issues since 1937 also have been preserved.
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What is believed to be the first U.S. special event plate of any type is the first presidential inaugural plate, issued in the District of Columbia for the first inauguration of Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt. On February 13, 1933, less than three weeks before inauguration day, the Board of Commissioners ordered "that the General Superintendent of Penal Institutions is hereby ordered to furnish the Inaugural Committee, 500 pairs of a special inaugural tag, with colors red, white and blue, and serially numbered." Based upon the relatively small number of plates made, it is likely that they were issued only for use in the inaugural parade and in conjunction with other official functions and were not available to the general public. A total of 57 of these plates were known to exist as of Sept. 2011, making them the most rare of all inaugural plates.
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Cardboard tags such as these were displayed within vehicles used to transport dignitaries to and from inaugural events. Click on each of the images for enlarged views of both sides of these restricted area access passes. |
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Fewer than 1,000 pairs of 1937 inaugural plates were produced, and as of Sept. 2011, 82 were known to exist. The year designation is somewhat difficult to read below the U.S. Capitol dome motif, and the red bars on the D.C. shield were spray painted. Not having bolt slots at the bottom resulted in extra holes being made in many 1937 inaugural plates, which were valid for use from January 12-27, 1937.
Also shown are the registration card issued and plate mailing envelope used in conjunction with plate no. 642, which was assigned to the Inaugural Committee. Click on any of the 1937 images to see more detail.
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The similarities between 1937 and 1941 inaugural plates are many. Again less than 1,000 pairs were produced, and 84 remaining examples were known as of Sept. 2011. The absence of lower bolt slots again meant that extra holes were required in order to attach them to brackets provided on cars of the era. Differences from 1937 are the far more clear year designation and that the red stripes on the shield were painted by hand as indicated by brush strokes.
The cost of 1941 inaugural plates to motorists that chose to purchase them was $5.50. They were valid for use for 15 days, Jan. 12-27, 1941 .
1945: Presidential inaugural plates were not made for the fourth inauguration of Pres. Roosevelt due to the influence of World War II on the nation and its economy. The customary large celebration was not held, in part because limited resources such as steel, rubber, brass, and fuel were being conserved. Instead, the 1945 inauguration was comprised of a small, subdued ceremony held at The White House on Jan. 20, 1945. Without an inaugural parade there was no need for inaugural plates, hence none were produced.
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Plates made for 1949 are the last in a series of three similarly-designed issues. Less than 2,000 pairs were produced, and 144 plates had been documented as of Sept. 2011. Extra holes are still common due to the lack of lower slots, and the red stripes on the D.C. crest were again spray painted as they had been in 1937. The period of validity was reduced one day, to the 14-day period of Jan. 12-26, 1949.
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Decals with images of the president and vice president are the most striking features of the completely redesigned inaugural plates made for 1953. Fewer than 3,000 were made and 263 were known to exist as of Sept. 2011.
Plates properly registered with the D.C. Division of Motor Vehilces could be used from Jan. 12 through Jan. 26.
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Plates made for the second Eisenhower-Nixon inauguration closely resemble those of the first, but colors on the various embossed features are reversed and the dark color on the decals is brown for 1957 whereas it is blue on the 1953 plates. The 1957 issue is unique in the series in that the exact expiration date is displayed on the plate. Perhaps the distinction was made because effective with this plate the period of use was extended by five days to Jan. 31. The period of validity, "Midnight January 12 to Midnight January 31, 1957," is marked on the registration certificate.
The original order in which the Board of Commissioners called for "1957 Inaugural License Tags...and printing of registration certificates therefor," dated November 27, 1956, includes details of the plate design and specifies that 4,000 pairs will be made, although an amended version of January 15, 1957, increases the order to 4,500 pairs. Plate numbers are unspecified, so we are left to assume that they were marked 1 through 4500. As of Sept. 2011, 359 plates were known to exist, and it is worth noting that this is the only inaugural plate issue for which data about to whom the plates were issued is known to still exist.
This specific information about the issuance of 1957 Inaugural plates is included in the Commissioners order: "The Director of Vehicles and Traffic shall have custody of the tags and shall maintain an alphabetical and numerical file of all tags issued. Tags shall be issued upon authorization of the Inaugural Committee and no charge shall be made to persons to whom such tags are issued."
The first several hundred plates produced (those with the lowest numbers) have two decals on each side because the first set to be applied were placed in the wrong locations, with Vice Pres. Nixon on the left and Pres. Eisenhower on the right. Each plate was corrected with a new set of correctly-placed decals before being distributed.
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The practice of including images of the president and vice president on inaugural plates was not continued in 1961. 
Instead, a simple but patriotic design was chosen for the first inaugural plates to be completely flat and feature a reflective background. Whereas 1957 inaugural plates could be displayed on vehicles for slightly less than three weeks, the initial regulation approved by the Board of Commissioners relating to 1961 plates, dated Nov. 10, 1960, specifies that they were to be valid for use from Nov. 15, 1960, through Jan. 31, 1961. In response to a request made by the inaugural committee, however, a Jan. 1961 vote of the Board extended the period of validity to February 28, so that 1961 inaugural plates could be used for 3.5 months, far longer than earlier issues.
The initial order for 1961 inaugural plates calls for 3,100 pairs, numbered 1 through 3000 and 4500 through 4599, to be made. Many examples with numbers outside of these ranges are known to exist, however, indicating that subsequent orders (which were provided for in the Commissioners regulations) were placed by the inaugural committee. Based upon the existence of numbers in the 3000, 5000, 8000, and 9000 series, it has been estimated that about 10,000 pairs of 1961 plates were made.
The white background of 1961 plates often appears pale yellow due to the relatively heavy coating of clear lacquer applied to protect the reflective material. Collectors that wish to remedy this condition should place the plate in direct sunlight until the desired shade of brighter white appears. Early reflective plates (such as this issue) are thought to have been engineered with this naturally-occurring color change in mind, although most (if not all) of these limited-use plates were never exposed to enough direct sunlight for the change to occur.
Like all D.C. plates of the era, 1961 Inaugural plates were produced at Lorton Correctional Complex. This unusual souvenir plate was printed with names of individuals at that facility that participated in their production. |
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Inaugural plates made for 1965 are flat and reflective, like the previous issue. Their period of validity began on Nov. 15, 1964, and ended on Feb. 28, 1965. According to an October 20, 1964, order approved by the Board of Commissioners entitled "1965 Inaugural License Tags," 10,023 pairs were to have been made, although specified in the same sentence are only 10,022 registration combinations, those being numbers 1 through 9999, as well as single-letter plates "A to Z, omitting I, Q, and V." The design, said to have been approved by co-chairmen of the Pre-inaugural Committee, is the only inaugural plate graphic that includes an image of the D.C. flag.
The text at the bottom of this 1965 inaugural plate order form reads "A limited number of Official INAUGURAL PLATES have been made available for your purchase. These plates can be used on your car up to March 1, 1965. The plates may be obtained by check (or money order) at $10.00 a set." The order form portion of this document is thought to have appeared below the text, and on this copy has been torn away, presumably having been used to order a set of plates. |
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Although the 1969 issue features some design similarities to the previous issue, the use of embossing and taller characters results in a substantially different appearance. The registration number is embossed and there is a debossed rim; flat inaugural plates would not return for another 35+ years. A limited number of personalized ("vanity") plates were made for VIPs and a special series of plates with a B prefix to the number were made for inaugural committee staff. Like the past two issues, nearly 10,000 sets are thought to have been made.
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Politically it is rather ironic that the design of special-event plates issued to commemorate the second inauguration of President Nixon is identical to that of the 1961 plate, for the earlier version was issued following a presidential election that then Vice President Nixon lost to Sen. John F. Kennedy. The embossed characters of the 1973 variety give the plate an overall different appearance than the 1961 version, but all other design elements are essentially the same.
This was the first inaugural plate issue upon which members of the general public were permitted to obtain personalized registrations. In an apparent effort to promote this change several thousand plates bearing the word SKINS, a reference to the Washington Redskins NFL team, were made. So many were made, in fact, that they are still plentiful today, with a supply still far in excess of the demand. Six days before Inauguration Day the Redskins lost to the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VII, ending the Dolphins historic 14-0-0 season.
As was done with the previous issue, a special series of plates with a letter prefix, this time S, was made for inaugural committee staff in 1973. Also, plates in a another special series, numbered WH-1 through WH-99, were issued to members of Nixon's White House staff.
Approximately 10,000 pairs of 1973 presidential inaugural plates are believed to have been made.
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An unusual, abstract flag design was chosen for plates made to commemorate the inauguration of Pres. Jimmy Carter, and the inaugural committee is believed to have ordered 20,000 sets of them.
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The 1981 inaugural plate features a classic appearance and is the last to include a reference to Washington, D.C. The bold, patriotic design, with "U.S.A." in the lower left corner, was created by John D. Garst Jr., of Washington. It proudly and succinctly proclaims its city of origin and purpose whereas later plates are designed more for up-close viewing and to appeal to souvenir seekers rather than for use on a motor vehicle.
Sequentially-numbered 1981 inaugural plates are numbered 1 through 999, then A-001 through A-999, B-001 through B-999, etc. Any plate with an all-number registration above 999 (1000, 1234, and 6789, for example), is considered a personalized plate.
In addition to regular numbered and personalized plates made with full-size embossed characters, a small number of non-traditional personalized plates were made for the first Reagan inauguration. Some feature short embossed characters (such as would be used in the manufacture of motorcycle plates) that are small enough to allow for seven figures whereas the limit on plates made with full-size dies was five. About fifty pairs are thought to have been made with the small dies. Made in an even smaller quantity, about 30 pairs, were plates with silk-screen printed characters that allowed for even more to appear to the right of the American flag graphic.
In total, about 36,000 sets of presidential inaugural plates were made for 1981.
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Along with a commemorative legend, the color gold and inclusion of fifty graphic red stars were used on 1985 plates to mark the 50th U.S. presidential inauguration. The overall composition of the design is in stark contrast to earlier plates, with small printing and poor color contrast in the graphic components, and no mention of the issuing jurisdiction, making this and later inaugural plates more appealing for display on a wall as a souvenir rather than on the bumper of a moving vehicle. Plate stickers and commemorative frames also were sold by the Presidential Inaugural Committee but were distributed sparingly, making both accessories relatively rare. Introduced this year were special plates for disabled motorists that include the international access emblem, a person in a wheelchair. Less than 100 sets were likely produced. The cost of general-issue and personalized 1985 inaugural plates was $30 and $50, respectively, and they could be used for three months. Approximately 16,000 pairs of plates are thought to have been produced, a significant reduction from the previous nauguration. |
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For 1989, presidential inaugural plates were all about fundraising and marketing. A process that one could argue began with the previous inauguration plate program vaulted forward with the 1989 issue. What just two or three issues ago had been a relatively simple program to supply special plates for the inaugural parade and what was usually a relatively small number of interested supporters became a complex effort to distribute plates with logos of well-heeled corporations, influential government agencies, and high-ranking government officials.
Aside from the wide variety of plate styles introduced, a number of important changes were instituted to the plates themselves. One characteristic that carried forward from 1985 was the relative illegibility of the design, with small printing used in place of the plain, more bold fonts and wording of pre-1985 plates. A commemorative legend relating to the first presidential inauguration, which occurred in 1789, was featured for the second consecutive issue. Whereas the 1985 inaugural plates touted the 50th inauguration, those of 1989 promoted the 200th anniversary of the rite.
1989 Inaugural Plate Numbering
One noteworthy change for 1989 was the elimination of sequentially-numbered "general-issue" plates. Since personalized plates were made available to the public with the 1973 issue, sales of non-personalized inaugural plates had plummeted. For recent inaugurations, two of every three sets of plates ordered featured an owner-chosen registration. Therefore, for 1989 all plates were custom made, a move that essentially eliminated the large leftover stock of plates that had been a problem faced by most (if not all) past inaugural committees.
True personalized plates (i.e. those comprised exclusively or mostly of letters and bearing names, initials, etc.) made available to the public were required to include at least two and no more than seven letters. Members of the general public also could request any registration number comprised of four (or more) numbers, with lower-number plates being reserved for VIPs. Single-letter plates were also reserved. As had been done in the past, 1989 plates with duplicate registration numbers and combinations were made whenever requested because the majority of inaugural plates were ordered as souvenirs and were never intended for use on a motor vehicle, hence a resultant low risk of problems arising due to more than one vehicle being registered with the same number.
A relatively small number of pairs (less than 100) were made with the international handicapped access emblem, both in numbered and personalized form.
A number of otherwise standard-looking 1989 inaugural plates were made with special series of numbers. Most notably, made for members of Congress were plates with the two-letter abbreviation of the lawmaker's home state (AL for Alabama, AK for Alaska, etc.) followed by a dash, then H for House of Representatives or S for Senate and a number. For example, plate number MI-H4 would have been made for the representative from Michigan's fourth Congressional district, and VA-S1 was assigned to the senior senator from Virginia.
About 150 pairs that begin with B (for Bush) and end with Q (for Quayle) were sold at various Washington-area functions. RT-prefix plates (about 75 pairs) were used on a fleet of inaugural committee vehicles, and several sets of SS-series plates were used by the Secret Service in the inaugural parade. Small quantities of UD- and WH-series plates were made for and used by the Uniform Division of the Secret Service and the White House police, respectively.
Motorcycle Plates Introduced
Another new twist to the inaugural plate program was the availability of motorcycle plates. Most of the other new plate styles and categories introduced in 1989 have not been continued, but the offering of special plates for cycles has. Almost 200 plates were produced for use in the inaugural parade, another 100 with an M prefix were made for use by the U.S. Park Police, and others with various names, initials, etc. were made as souvenirs.
State Seal, Corporate Logo, and Other Special Graphic Plates
For the first time in inaugural license plate history, in 1989 a number of special series were made with graphic images to the right of the number. For example, the Republican State Committee in each state was allowed to purchase sets of plates with their state seal. Most were numbered, but some with personalized registrations were also produced. The response to this program varied. For example, party officials in heavily Democratic Massachusetts (where Pres. Bush was born) ordered 1,000 sets with the Mass. state seal, whereas state such as Alaska, Washington, and Wisconsin ordered only five pairs. At least that quantity was reportedly made and sold with the seal of each state and Washington, D.C.
Plates with the logo of corporations that supported inaugural events and the new administration were made and distributed in limited quantities. They are: General Motors (250 pairs), Ford Motor Co. (190 pairs), Chrysler Corp. (100 pairs), Southland Corp. (100 pairs), Coca-Cola (c.20 pairs), AT&T (c. 5 pairs), and Weintraub Entertainment Group. This last organization, for which just a few sets were reportedly made with its large W logo, was headed by a personal friend of the president-elect and organized entertainers that performed at the Presidential Inaugural Gala on Jan. 19, 1989.
Two graphic 1989 inaugural plates relate to a particular heroic event during the president-elect's distinguished military career during World War II. One design features a color representation of a TBF-Avenger, the plane in which the then 20-year-old Bush was shot down on Sept. 2, 1944, while on a bombing mission against a Japanese radio center in the Bonin Islands. These plates were made in personalized form and distributed to members of the fighter group that served with the president-elect. Also made were plates with a color image of the U.S.S. Finback, the submarine that rescued Bush after he had been floating in the water, towards the Japanese, for more than three hours. Bush was the only survivor of the Avenger's three-man crew and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for completing the mission. About 30 pairs of Finback plates were provided to members of that vessel's crew, with whom Bush stayed for 30 days while they engaged enemy ships in the area.
Other special 1989 inaugural graphic plates were made, as well. About 165 sets with an image of the Congressional Medal of Honor were distributed to recipients of that commendation and include their initials. Approximately 60 sets with an image of a Secret Service badge were provided to members of that organization, and both numbered and personalized versions were reportedly made. A graphic of the White House appears in blue on the right side of about 100 pairs made for Pres. Reagan to give to his staff.
Cost and Use on Motor Vehicles
The cost to the public for 1989 inaugural plates was $50 per set made with standard dies (plates of up to six characters) and $60 per pair made with the slightly small dies used for seven-character combinations. If proper procedures were followed, a registration certificate and single validation sticker were issued for each pair of plates in order for them to be valid for use through March 31, 1989. Two versions of the stickers were produced and distributed: one has a serial number of 000000, the other 313794.
Manufacture of 1989 Inaugural Plates
Like earlier plates of this series, most 1989 inauguration plates were made where all Washington, D.C. plates were made at the time: the Lorton Correctional Complex in suburban Fairfax County, Virginia. However, due to the significant number of plates expected to be required, inaugural committee officials provided for approximately 1,800 sets to be made elsewhere. The chosen contractor was New Hampshire Prison Industries in Concord, N.H., where New Hampshire plates are made. Plates made in N.H. are distinctive from Lorton-made plates in that they feature different dies and a clear lacquer coating.
There are also a number of subtle design variants present in 1989 plates made at Lorton. Some include a trademark designation ("(TM)"), and the size and exact position of printing across the top and bottom ("1789 BICENTENNIAL 1989", etc.) varies, as does treatment afforded to corners of the graphic red and blue bands across the top and bottom of the designs. Some versions of reflective sheeting used include a security mark whereas others do not.
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More than 10,000 sets of special plates made for the first inauguration of President Clinton are believed to have been made, and special stickers were issued for display on those that purchasers indicated would be used. This was the first of several inaugural plates to include a slogan (as compared to the previous two issues, which included a legend referencing the anniversary of a historical event). The slogan chosen for this 1993 issue, An American Reunion, is printed in small lettering between the lower bolt holes on both full-size and motorcycle plates.
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The plate design chosen for the second Clinton inaugural is similar to the first. It includes two slogans: An American Journey and Building a Bridge to the 21st Century. Well over 10,000 sets are thought to have been made including a series of low-number plates that have a gold-and-blue seal, such as appears on motorcycle plate no. 1, rather than the standard blue-on-white seal that appears on most examples. Like the previous issue, validation stickers were issued for plates that were to be used.
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Despite the change in administrations, the design of 2001 presidential inaugural plates remained relatively consistent with the previous two issues. The slogan on this base is Celebrating America's Spirit Together. Like the past several issues, stickers were required to validate plates to be used, and more than 10,000 sets are believed to have been made.
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The second inauguration of Pres. George W. Bush represents two landmarks in the history of Presidential Inaugural plates. First, two styles of plates were produced, by two separate companies; and second, from the standpoint of the general public these special-event plates were souvenirs only. In fact, this was the first time in more than 50 years that Inaugural plates could not be registered for short-term use on privately-owned vehicles. Plates of both styles offered in 2005 are aluminum covered with graphic reflective sheeting, and are completely flat except for a debossed edge.
The more traditional-looking of the two designs was marketed by GOP Shoppe under a contract with the 2005 Presidential Inaugural Committee, and was offered on the company's Web site, GOPshoppe.com. The flat plates feature a stylized American flag across the top and, on a blue band across the bottom, the legend Celebrating Freedom - Honoring Service in fine, white script lettering above 55TH PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL printed in more bold lettering. The Inaugural seal appears to the left of the registration number, which is printed in blue.
Plates of this design were offered to the public in general-issue and personalized form, and were issued in pairs. General-issue plates were numbered sequentially beginning at 002006 and cost $35 per set, whereas personalized plates could be ordered with up to six characters for $50 per set. On Jan. 7, 2005, the D.C. Dept. of Motor Vehicles announced that plates of this design could be displayed on the front of properly registered vehicles in lieu of the assigned D.C. plate. There is no motorcycle version of this plate.
As for their use in an official capacity, plates of the GOP Shoppe design were displayed on limousines used by the president and vice president, as well as on U.S. Secret Service vehicles that accompanied them.
Two private companies were behind the second 2005 offering, which was offered in both a full-size and motorcycle plate version. The distinctive deep blue plate with an image of the Capitol was designed and marketed by Hunter International Co., of Arlington, Va., and manufactured by Motor Vehicle License Systems, of Laguna Hills, Cal. In addition to being offered to the public as souvenirs, these plates were used on motorcycles operated by the Metropolitan Police Dept. and U.S. Park Police that led the inaugural parade, as well as on other official vehicles in the parade. Pairs of the Hunter/MVLS plates were available for $50, and could be personalized with up to seven characters. Numbers below 1500 were not available to the general public.
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Although from the standpoint of Presidential Inaugural plates the inauguration of 2009 was similar in many respects to that of 2005, there is one very significant difference: examples of one of the two distinct plate designs were not made available to the general public, but rather were used only on Presidential and Vice Presidential vehicles as well as accompanying vehicles of the U.S. Secret Service.
The first 2009 design was produced upon direction of the Presidential Inaugural Committee and includes the slogan Renewing America's Promise at the bottom. These flat, white-on-blue aluminum plates were made for use exclusively on a limited number of official vehicles involved in inaugural activities. Specifically, plates marked as indicated in the table below were produced, and although the number of plates made with each registration combination is unknown, the Committee has indicated that all were made in very small quantities. There is no motorcycle version of this plate.
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44 |
President-Elect Obama's limousine and accompanying U.S. Secret Service vehicles on Sun., Jan. 18 and Mon., Jan. 19. Number commemorates that the President Elect is to serve as the nation's 44th president. |
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47 |
Vice President-Elect Biden's limousine and accompanying U.S. Secret Service vehicles on Sun., Jan. 18 and Mon., Jan. 19. Number commemorates that the Vice President Elect is to serve as the nation's 47th vice president. |
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1 |
Limousine and accompanying U.S. Secret Service vehicles that transported President Bush and President-Elect Obama from The White House to the U.S. Capitol on Tue., Jan. 20. Number used due to the car being occupied by the president. |
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Limousine and accompanying U.S. Secret Service vehicles that transported Vice President Cheney and Vice President-Elect Biden from The White House to the U.S. Capitol on Tue., Jan. 20. Number used due to the car being occupied by the vice president. |
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USA 1 |
Limousine and accompanying U.S. Secret Service vehicles that transported President Obama and his family in the Inaugural parade on Tue., Jan. 20. |
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USA 2 |
Limousine and accompanying U.S. Secret Service vehicles that transported Vice President Biden and his family in the Inaugural parade on Tue., Jan. 20. |
Registration |
For Use on Vehicles Under Control of the |
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AFIC |
Armed Forces Inaugural Committee |
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MPD |
Metropolitan Police Department |
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PIC 2009 |
2009 Presidential Inaugural Committee |
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PPD |
U.S. Secret Service, Presidential Protection Division |
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USCP |
United States Capitol Police |
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USPP |
United States Park Police |
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USSS |
United States Secret Service |
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VPPD |
U.S. Secret Service, Vice Presidential Protection Division |
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The second 2009 design was created and marketed by Hunter International Co. and produced by Motor Vehicle License Systems (MVLS), continuing their 2005 partnership. It prominently features an image of the Lincoln Memorial statue of Pres. Abraham Lincoln, commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Great Emancipator. These plates are flat with a debossed edge, and examples were widely marketed prior to inauguration day. Also like 2005, the Hunter/MVLS plate could not legally be used on motor vehicles, but rather was offered only as a souvenir. The flat plates were manufactured and sold in pairs, and all sold to the general public (i.e. all except those specially made for use during the inauguration) are personalized with up to five characters, printed in black. Their cost was $50 per set.
In addition to being made available as souvenirs, full-size and motorcycle plates of this design, all of which feature the inaugural seal in the upper right corner and LINCOLN BICENTENNIAL - 56th PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL at the bottom, were used on official vehicles involved in the inauguration. As discussed below, however, plates of the Hunter/MVLS design were not used on vehicles in which the new president and vice president were transported during public events.
Specially-marked plates of the 2009 Hunter/MVLS design were made available to members of a variety of groups and not-for-profit organizations, which are listed below. Each includes the organization's name on a second line across the top of the plate. Several of the not-for-profit organizations also participate in the District's Organizational Plate Program.
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Special plates marked PARADE VEHICLE were also made, as were plates for the presidential and vice presidential limousines that include the official seals of those offices. Those who experienced the inaugural parade in Washington or viewed it on television, however, know that the white-on-blue Presidential Inaugural Committee plates discussed above, not a variety of the Hunter/MVLS design, were displayed on official vehicles of the new president and vice president.
Most of the information and images on this page were provided by Charlie Gauthier, an expert on the subject of Presidential Inaugural license plate history. Mr. Gauthier has published a number of articles on the subject and has, over a period of decades, carefully built and maintained the most complete collection of inaugural plates and ephemera. As a District of Columbia native who now resides in Northern Virginia, he has worked directly with a number of past inaugural committees on their commemorative license plate programs. DCplates.com is sincerely grateful for his willingness to share his collection and knowledge through this page. For more information about these plates or to provide more information about or images of them, please send an e-mail to Mr. Gauthier at Charlie@DCplates.com.
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This page last updated on January 1, 2012 |
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