This week's update is all about pairs. Not "pair" in the traditional sense, but a group of two photos per entry. The first one is a pair of Bus plates from Clayton Moore. The Bus type started in 1924 and used the letter "O" from 1924 through 1967, except for 1934, which used all numbers and the "BUS" legend at the bottom (see first picture).

The next pair comes from Nick Tsilakis, two Offical Use plates. When the "PA" is on the right, that means it's a passenger vehicle. When the "PA" is on the left, that means it's a commercial vehicle. Both of these numbers also happen to be new highs! For all current highs, be sure to check out the Highs page!

Last but not least we have this pair of Truck plates sent in by Rob Baran. Truck plates in PA have always had a weight class system of some sort, even today (via a windshield sticker), but from 1924 through 1967 (except 1930, where they tried something different), PA used a letter to denote the weight class (R for lightest, Z for heaviest, and X was skipped since it was used for Dealer). The Truck type started in 1914 - from 1914 through 1919, PA used 1 thru 5 stars to denote the weight class. From 1920 thru 1923, the first number of the plate number denoted the weight class. After 1967, Truck became Commercial starting at CA-10000, and then in the early 90s the "Y" prefix was used for Truck, starting at YA-00000, then restarting at YAA-0000 on the "www" base of 1999, going through YZZ-9999 and onto ZBA-0000. The current high is ZWM-9008.

John McDevitt reached out to PennDOT to get prototype images of the redesigned Dealer types we have yet to see on the road and they sent them! The types that were redesigned that have already been spotted on the road are Dealer (New), Dealer (Pre-Owned), Repair Towing, Moped Dealer, and Salvage Yard (new this week, see below). Thanks, John, for doing the legwork for these!

George Kunsman spotted the redesigned Salvage Yard plate on the road, the first time it's been submitted to this site. As mentioned above, all of the Dealer types have been redesigned and are replacing the current issues (that is, they are not only going to new registrations).

John McDevitt also spotted this pair of highs for the Exeter Township Fire Department and Gettysburg Fire Department plate types. They are also first-of images with the map outline in place of the sticker well, AND they're both the 38th plate produced for each type! For all current highs, be sure to check out the Highs page!

Bill Koneski posted this beautiful Bloomsburg University blue base plate. This plate type started in 1992 (on the blue base) and transitioned to the "www" base in 2000. The school is in Bloomsburg, PA, which is 40 miles southwest of Wilkes-Barre. The plate costs $50 plus a $112 fee if you want to personalize it. Click here to order one!

Last but not least, John Clark sends in this picture of all three bases of the Steel Worker plate type. This is available to individuals who worked in the steel industry or a member of their family, however no documentation is required to obtain one of the plates. This particular plate is $23 plus a $112 fee if you want to personalize it. Click here to order one!

This may be the find of 2023: a picture of recently-redesigned Moped Dealer plates. These three plates replace the plates in the picture on the right - they all belong to the same dealer. I made a lot of phone calls about ten years ago to track an example of these plates down and found the guy who has the plates pictured. Very nice guy!

Clayton Moore sends in this picture of a 1921 Dealer plate, which is also a new high number for this year. Pennsylvania used the "X" prefix from 1911 to 1965. The first year for Dealer was 1910 and the plates just said "DEALER", and in 1930 a different serial system was used but plate still had the word "DEALER" in the legend. Starting in 1946, the "A" and "B" prefixes were added to the mix and "X" was relegated to the "Misc. Dealer" sub-type, and that was in effect through 1965.

I spotted this new high for the Temporary plate type this past week. It appears that they are zipping through the 40xx-xxx series! Fun fact: Pennsylvania residents cannot get a Pennsylvania temp tag (assuming their car is going to be registered in Pennsylvania). For all current highs, be sure to check out the Highs page!

Bruce Bufalini sends in this picture of a personalized Seton Hill University plate. Seton Hill University is in Greensburg, PA and there is not much information on their website about their specialty plate. I presume the standard $112 fee applies to personalize the plate, on top of whatever the school charges for the plate.

This picture of a personalized Distinguished Flying Cross plate comes from Nick Tsilakis. PennDOT offers dozens of Veterans plates, and 24 of those acknowledge medals/badges/ribbons. This particular plate is $10 plus a $112 fee if you want to personalize it. Click here to order one, you must send a copy of your DD214 discharge paperwork with the application.

Tim Gierschick sends this sequential pair of 1925 Tractor plates. Tim's passion for Tractor plates is palpable; he has one from every year they were issued, including a pair of 1914s and a pair of 1915s, the only two years they were issued in pairs! This is his latest score. The "E" prefix was used until 1927 - it stood for "Engine". It was then "TE" for Traction Engine" and then "TRACTOR", and finally "TR" prefix. In 1984 this type was replaced by the Special Mobile Equipment for tractors used for commercial purposes and the Implement of Husbandy type for tractors used for agricultural purposes.

The Motorcycle plate type has moved into its next serial sequence, going from 9ZZ99 to 00AA0. Thanks to John McDevitt for the picture. This number also happens to be a new high! For all current highs, be sure to check out the Highs page!

This new high for the Pollinator Habitat plate type comes from Matt Ciecka. It appears that this new type is selling quite well! Click here to order one!

David Hobbs sends in this picture of a new high for the Antique Vehicle plate type. In order to qualify for an Antique Vehicle plate, the vehicle has to be at least 25 years old, in good overall condition, and cannot be used for daily transportation. Antiqued vehicles are exempt from both safety and emissions inspections. This is a series that moves fairly slowly so it will be a while before we see Z9ZZ.

Here's another new high from John McDevitt, this time for the Combat Action Badge plate type. PennDOT offers dozens of Veterans plates, and 24 of those acknowledge medals/badges/ribbons.