PL8S DOT COM - Pictorial Guide to License Plate Condition Grading

PICTORIAL GUIDE TO LICENSE PLATE CONDITIONS AND GRADES

The following are average representations of license plate grades, and are only averages. Many collectors will grade higher, and many more will grade lower. It's always best to get a photo or photocopy of a plate up front, if you want to be sure. It is important to remember however, that a plate grade is a plate grade, no matter how RARE a plate is. A 1929 Alaska plate with fair paint, extra holes and rust and a 1929 Pennsylvania plate with fair paint, extra holes and rust are BOTH in "FAIR" condition. Plate rarity has no bearing on plate grading.

MINT CONDITION (m)
A flawless example - unused and perfect, with no marks on the bolt holes. In porcelain, no bending, no rust, no dullness, no chipping - Mint is "perfect", not "very nice for it's age".

EXCELLENT CONDITION (ex)
Superior condition, marks on the bolt holes, but no major flaws overall. Near perfect, but minor signs of use.

VERY GOOD - EXCELLENT (vgex, ex- or vg+)
Nice looking plate, some flaws, fairly straight, minor paint wear, light edge rust.

VERY GOOD (vg)
An above average condition plate, moderate amount of flaws, some wear and rust, but still nice.

GOOD - VERY GOOD (gvg, vg- or g+)
Average condition plate, good paint, various flaws, light surface rust or edge rust, light dents.

GOOD (g)
A little below average, displayable, with dings, nicks, rust and flaws. Not terrible, but will upgrade.

FAIRLY GOOD (fg, g-, f+)
Below average condition, at least half of the paint intact, somewhat straight and solid.

FAIR (f)
Well below average condition, approx 50% paint, rust, creases, dents, extra holes.

POOR (p)
The lowest grade, little or no paint, rust to the point of cancer, torn bolts - a filler only.

REPAINT (rp)
Any plate without the original paint. Runs from average quality (above) to professional rp (pro rp)

NEEDS REPAINT (nrp)
A plate in need of repainting/restoration, that isn't in poor condition. Restorable.

INDIGENOUS REPAINT (irp)
A plate that has had some or all of the number/background paint replaced by the original car owner, in an attempt to extend the usable life of the plate. Common in many third-world nations.

BOOSTER (or Mickey Mouse)
A non-official used plate, usually a front plate, as in a promotional or dealership tag.

TORN BOLT
A bolt hole that has been completely torn away, resulting in a missing piece.

CRACKED BOLT
Hairline cracks found around bolt holes, usually seen on motorcycle plates.

NAIL HOLE (nh, nhs)
Small extra holes, usually from the plate being tacked to a barn wall. Metal is intact.

EXTRA HOLE (xh, xhs)
Any extra hole not originally found on a plate, usually drilled.

RATIO NUMBERS (95/94)
Indicates amount of orig.porcelain on a plate, in this case, 95% numbers, 94% background.

ALLIGATORING
Crackling of surface paint from age.

LACQUERED (laq or lacq)
An original paint, or repainted plate, that has been sprayed or dipped in lacquer, resulting in yellowing.