Have You Ever Seen Iowa’s Very First License Plate? [PHOTO]

In 2023, every car you see on Iowa roadways is required to have 2 license plates. One in the front and one in the back. There's one exception to that rule, however, it's very unlikely you'll ever see a car like that flying down 380. If you do, you're seeing a collector's item.

While I was doing some research on classic cars located in Iowa, I came across something really interesting about Iowa license plates. No, it wasn't personalized plates rejected in Iowa, but it was about the history of Iowa plates and how long they have been around. Have you ever seen what the first license plates ever made in Iowa look like?

According to License Plates, the first manufactured and issued license plates were created in 1911. What I find interesting about this is Iowans were responsible to provide their own license plates from 1904-1911.

License Plates states that "in 1904, Iowa enacted laws to register all motor vehicles within the state.  From 1904 through the middle of 1911, Iowa motor vehicle owners were responsible for providing their own license plates." 

The first license plates created in Iowa were made of leather and aluminum and were 14x6 in size. They were also embossed and stamped with the year and abbreviation IA. In 1953, Iowa plates got their first slogan which read THE CORN STATE.

Did you know if you wanted to you could purchase a first-issued Iowa license plate? I thought it might be a bit harder to track one of these down but the power of the internet has made shopping for historic items pretty simple. I found two, first-issue plates, on Felix, one of them being fairly beaten up, and the other in very good condition.

The first license plate is listed as "fairly good condition" and is on sale for $299.99. The second plate is listed as "very good condition" and is currently on sale for $750.00