About License Plates on Our Site
In our travels and several years of selling license plates in our retail store, we found that our customer's interests in license plates vary widely. Some collectors want only very good, pristine plates in "like new" condition. On the other hand, we have customers tell us that they specifically want plates that show lots of use like rust, dents, and holes. Some customers only collect automobile plates, others collect truck, trailer, and various other types.
Therefore, we present a wide array of license plates to suit the needs, interests, and affordability of a wide range of customers. We list everything from rusty plates with large dents in them to pristine NOS (new old stock) plates that were never issued. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder", and while you may wonder why we even show certain plates, another customer may be delighted to find them.
All plates for sale on this site, other than advertising and novelty plates (when featured), are authentic, government-issued license plates from their issuing jurisdiction. We sell only plates whose expiration dates have passed, although some multi-year plate bases may still be in use if validated by current state-issued validation stickers. Some states (but not all) allow antique or classic vehicle owners to register their vehicles using authentic license plates manufactured in the same year as the vehicle, commonly referred to as "Year of Manufacture" or "YOM" license plates. License plates on this site are sold only for purposes of collection or decoration and are not to be used on vehicles, other than those purchased for legal use in registering vehicles under "Year of Manufacture" laws.
Plates offered are original finish unless otherwise stated. We repaint certain plates and offer them for sale for purposes of YOM vehicle registration. We list these plates as "Repainted by TurnerPlates.com" to designate them as being one of our own repaints. You can read about our process on the About Our Repainted Plates page, but time does not allow us to restore or repaint customer's plates.
Other plates on our site were repainted (many incorrectly or not so carefully) before we acquired them. We list these as "Repainted" to designate them as being repainted, but not by us. We do not know what paints were used, nor do we necessarily approve of the work done.
Most of our plates are heat-sealed in heavy 6-mil plastic bags to protect their finish and keep them clean. Light streaks in some photos result from wrinkles in the plastic bag that reflect light at odd angles. It is far too expensive and time-consuming to cut each bag, remove the plate to photograph, and then re-bag them in a new bag.
