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Moped
(formerly known as Motorbike)

Motorbike plates were first introduced in 1920 and continued to be issued through 1949. In the early years they were sometimes referred to as Motor Bicycles or Bicycle Side Motors; today they are more commonly referred to as Mopeds, short for motorized-pedalcycle. Also, in the years up through 1933, the letter "O" was used on Motorbikes as a prefix to differentiate between them and Motorcycle plates. At least up through 1927 the letter "O" and the number "0" were the same size which makes earlier plates appear to be all numeric. From 1934 through 1949, the "O" was replaced with "MB" stacked on the left or right side, then with the introduction of the map outline in 1938, all plates had "MB" stacked on the right side. It should be noted that Motor Boat License plates also used the "MB" designator between 1955 and 1963. Thanks to Eric Tanner for some guidance with this section.


1930 - 1939



1930

Notes Number Plate Personalized Plate Sample Plate
Observed serial range:
none observed

According to records, O1 - O149 were ordered for this year

All plates measure 4 1/2" x 8"

Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons

Issued in singles

Colors: dark blue on gold
Not offered on this format Not offered on this format

1931

Notes Number Plate Personalized Plate Sample Plate
Observed serial range:
O1 - O37

All plates measure 4 1/2" x 8"

Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons

Issued in singles

Colors: gold on dark blue

From unknown
Not offered on this format Not offered on this format

1932

Notes Number Plate Personalized Plate Sample Plate
Observed serial range:
none observed

All plates measure 4 1/2" x 8"

Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons

Issued in singles

Colors: dark blue on gold
Not offered on this format Not offered on this format

1933

Notes Number Plate Personalized Plate Sample Plate
Observed serial range:
O1 - O58

Early plates had "33/PA" on the right, later plates had "33/PA" on left. Only two pictures known.

All plates measure 4 1/2" x 8"

Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons

Issued in singles

Colors: gold on dark blue

("33/PA" on right)
From unknown


("33/PA" on left)
From eBay
Not offered on this format Not offered on this format

1934

Notes Number Plate Personalized Plate Sample Plate
Observed serial range:
1 - 36

All plates measure 4 1/2" x 8"

Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons

Issued in singles

Colors: dark blue on gold

From Worthpoint


From Joe Sallmen
Not offered on this format Not offered on this format

1935

Notes Number Plate Personalized Plate Sample Plate
Observed serial range:
1 - 24

According to records, 1 - 50 were ordered for this year

All plates measure 4 1/2" x 8"

Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons

Issued in singles

Colors: gold on dark blue

From Joe Sallmen
Not offered on this format Not offered on this format

1936

Notes Number Plate Personalized Plate Sample Plate
Observed serial range:
1 (only one known)

All plates measure 4 1/2" x 8"

Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons

Issued in singles

Colors: dark blue on gold

From John McDevitt
Not offered on this format Not offered on this format

1937

Notes Number Plate Personalized Plate Sample Plate
Observed serial range:
1 - 139

All plates measure 4 1/2" x 8"

Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons

Issued in singles

Colors: gold on dark blue

From Joe Sallmen


From Josh Wunderlich
Not offered on this format Not offered on this format

1938

Notes Number Plate Personalized Plate Sample Plate
Observed serial range:
none observed

All plates measure 4 1/2" x 8"

Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons

Issued in singles

Colors: dark blue on gold
Not offered on this format
From Dave Lincoln

1939

Notes Number Plate Personalized Plate Sample Plate
Observed serial range:
1 - 515

All plates measure 4 1/2" x 8"

Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons

Issued in singles

Colors: gold on dark blue

From John Willard


From Worthpoint
Not offered on this format Not offered on this format