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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.
1940 - 1949
1940
| Notes | Number Plate | Personalized Plate | Sample Plate |
|
Observed serial range: 1 - 170 All plates measure 4 1/2" x 8" Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons Issued in singles Colors: dark blue on gold |
 From Lee Madigan |
Not offered on this format | Not offered on this format |
1941
| Notes | Number Plate | Personalized Plate | Sample Plate |
|
Observed serial range: 1 - 1030 All plates measure 4 1/2" x 8" Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons Issued in singles Colors: gold on dark blue |
 From Jake Eckenrode |
Not offered on this format | Not offered on this format |
1942
| Notes | Number Plate | Personalized Plate | Sample Plate |
|
Observed serial range: 1 - 2615 The tab strips used in 1943 were placed on 1942 plates so additional 1942-dated plates were distributed in 1943 for new registrations in 1943. All plates measure 4 1/2" x 8" Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons Issued in singles Colors: dark blue on gold |
 From Tim Gierschick  From John Willard |
Not offered on this format | Not offered on this format |
1943
| Notes | Number Plate | Personalized Plate | Sample Plate |
|
Observed serial range: 3074 - 19223 Tab strips used instead of a new annual plate in order to conserve steel for the war effort. Tab strips were affixed to the 1942 they used during 1942. It is believed that the serial range used on these metal strips were shared between Motorbike, Motorcycle, Commercial Motorcycle, and Motorcycle Dealer Strip measures 3/4" x 4 3/4" Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons Colors: red on black |
 From Bob Connison  From Jake Eckenrode |
Not offered on this format | Not offered on this format |
|
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION This registration card shows that the make of the vehicle was a Motor Glide, the body type was MB for Motorbike, the annual registration fee was $2.00. It also reveals that their number in 1942 was #1929 and the 1943 renewal tab strip serial number was 15079. |
 From John Anshant |
Not offered on this format | Not offered on this format |
1944
| Notes | Number Plate | Personalized Plate | Sample Plate |
|
Observed serial range: 1 - 1822 All plates measure 4 1/2" x 8" Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons Issued in singles Colors: gold on dark blue |
 From Dave Lincoln  From Jake Eckenrode |
Not offered on this format | Not offered on this format |
|
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION This registration card shows that the annual registration fee was $2.00 and the plate number was "686". |
 From John Anshant |
Not offered on this format | Not offered on this format |
1945
| Notes | Number Plate | Personalized Plate | Sample Plate |
|
Observed serial range: 1 - 1977 All plates measure 4 1/2" x 8" Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons Issued in singles Colors: dark blue on gold |
 From John Willard  From Edward F. Jones |
Not offered on this format | Not offered on this format |
|
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION This registration card shows that the annual registration fee was $2.00 and the plate number was "527". |
 From John Anshant |
Not offered on this format | Not offered on this format |
1946
| Notes | Number Plate | Personalized Plate | Sample Plate |
|
Observed serial range: 1 - 4436 All plates measure 4 1/2" x 8" Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons Issued in singles Colors: gold on dark blue |
 From Brandon Sowers |
Not offered on this format | Not offered on this format |
1947
| Notes | Number Plate | Personalized Plate | Sample Plate |
|
Observed serial range: 1 - 9999 A1 - Z999 Observed high: A699 All plates measure 4 1/2" x 8" Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons Issued in singles Colors: dark blue on gold |
 From Brandon Sowers |
Not offered on this format | Not offered on this format |
1948
| Notes | Number Plate | Personalized Plate | Sample Plate |
|
Observed serial range: 1 - 9999 A1 - Z999 Observed high: G643 All plates measure 4 1/2" x 8" Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons Issued in singles Colors: gold on dark blue |
 From John Willard  From Dave Lincoln |
Not offered on this format | Not offered on this format |
1949
| Notes | Number Plate | Personalized Plate | Sample Plate |
|
Observed serial range: 1 - 9999 A1 - Z999 Observed high: F358 All plates measure 4 1/2" x 8" Manufactured in Pennsylvania prisons Issued in singles Colors: dark blue on gold |
 From John Willard  From eBay (alligator02) |
Not offered on this format | Not offered on this format |
The yearly registration fee increased to $4 in 1950, the same as Motorcycle, making Motorbike unnecessary.