1974 Bicentennial Baseplate

There are two varieties of this base, and both have "3-31" embossed in the lower left corner, indicating the annual March 31 expiration date, and a debossed sticker box in the lower right corner. The first style has "75" debossed in the sticker box. Plates of this style, the first to be issued, are numbered 100-000 through at least 327-761. The second style does not have the "75" year designation, and these are numbered from at least 343-951 through 500-000. The cutoff point between the dated and undated styles is believed to be plates numbered 340-000 and 340-001.

Plates of this base were assigned sequentially from number 100-000 through 500-000, and during the first registration year (April 1974 through March 1975) they were used without a sticker. Reflective stickers listed below were issued to validate 1974 baseplates, and plate collectors are reminded that in most cases the final three digits in the sticker serial number should match the final three digits on the plate, as described at the Validation Stickers page.

Later stickers (marked 79 through as late as SEP 86), as listed and discussed on the 1978 baseplate page, were used to validate 1974 baseplates through September 30, 1986, while 1978 baseplates were being issued for new registrations.

About the Bicentennial Design

With its simple red horizontal stripes, the 1974 D.C.base is believed to be the second U.S. graphic general-issue auto plate. (The 1974 South Dakota plate was issued for use beginning in January of the year, whereas the D.C. plate made its debut on April 1.) The design, with a U.S. Bicentennial theme slogan and simple embossed motif in the center, was likely issued in response to Pennsylvania's similarly composed 1971 base. Of course, D.C. bested Pennsylvania by using a red, white, and blue color scheme, plus the commemorative 1776-1976 year designations.

The graphic plate design introdcued in the mid-1970s was reproduced on envelopes in which renewal registration certificates and corresponding plate stickers were mailed. Click on the image for a view of the entire envelope.