Worldwide Wonders

Although I concentrate largely on plates from the United States, there are plenty beyond its borders to treasure.

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Canada (passenger) Canada (non-passenger) Mexico Caribbean, Central America, and South America Europe, Australia, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East

1. Canada (Passenger including Specialties)

Many of my favorite Canadian plates above, including Manitoba‘s ’71 base with the buffalo outline, Newfoundland and Labrador‘s 1969 issue noting the “mighty” Churchill River, Northwest Territories‘ “polar bear” plate, the unique graphics and slogans of Prince Edward Island throughout the years, Quebec‘s celebration of the 1976 Olympics (hosted in Montreal), Saskatchewan‘s honoring the Canada Centennial in 1967 and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police centennial six years later, and Yukon‘s gold miner. Note all of the above are passenger except the New Brunswick “Conservation” specialty.

Many of my favorite Canadian plates above, including Manitoba‘s ’71 base with the buffalo outline, Newfoundland and Labrador‘s 1969 issue noting the “mighty” Churchill River, Northwest Territories‘ “polar bear” plate, the unique graphics and slogans of Prince Edward Island throughout the years, Quebec‘s celebration of the 1976 Olympics (hosted in Montreal), Saskatchewan‘s honoring the Canada Centennial in 1967 and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police centennial six years later, and Yukon‘s gold miner. Note all of the above are passenger except the New Brunswick “Conservation” specialty.

2. Canada (Non-Passenger)

Non-passenger varieties of Canadian plates above include: Alberta farm truck and farm vehicle; British Columbia commercial (2), motor carrier, and truck; Manitoba snowmobile; New Brunswick taxi and large truck; Newfoundland and Labrador truck; Northwest Territories rental; Ontario commercial; Prince Edward Island trailer and truck; Quebec taxi, farm vehicle, and school bus; and Saskatchewan amateur radio.

Non-passenger varieties of Canadian plates above include: Alberta farm truck and farm vehicle; British Columbia commercial (2), motor carrier, and truck; Manitoba snowmobile; New Brunswick taxi and large truck; Newfoundland and Labrador truck; Northwest Territories rental; Ontario commercial; Prince Edward Island trailer and truck; Quebec taxi, farm vehicle, and school bus; and Saskatchewan amateur radio.

3. Mexico

In the 20th century, Mexican plates were rather plain with abbreviations – see Baja California AGC 637 and Chihuahua DF 38585 – but in the 21st, it’s been a very different story. Mexico states have issued fantastic colorful graphic plates with vibrant colors and a multiple features on each one. My favorites here include Campeche‘s plate with a graphic bar that resembles video games from the 1980s, Coahuila‘s festive issue with a dinosaur head and a highlighted “CO”; the Mexico (EdoMex) base with multi-colored mountains; Quintana-Roo‘s swordfish, and the Zacatecas plate with a city skyline which includes an air tram.

In the 20th century, Mexican plates were rather plain with abbreviations – see Baja California AGC 637 and Chihuahua DF 38585 – but in the 21st, it’s been a very different story. Mexico states have issued fantastic colorful graphic plates with vibrant colors and a multiple features on each one. My favorites here include Campeche‘s plate with a graphic bar that resembles video games from the 1980s, Coahuila‘s festive issue with a dinosaur head and a highlighted “CO”; the Mexico (EdoMex) base with multi-colored mountains; Quintana-Roo‘s swordfish, and the Zacatecas plate with a city skyline which includes an air tram.

4. Caribbean, Central America, and South America

A sampling of countries include the enchanting slogans “One Happy Island” and “The Friendly Island” of Aruba and St. Maarten respectively, and Panama’s (translated) “Unity Into the Future” and “Peace and Justice.”

A sampling of countries include the enchanting slogans “One Happy Island” and “The Friendly Island” of Aruba and St. Maarten respectively, and Panama’s (translated) “Unity Into the Future” and “Peace and Justice.”

5. Europe, Australia, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East

From left to right, top to bottom: England, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands (2), Poland (2), Victoria – Australia (2), Canberra – Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory – Australia, Tasmania – Australia, Nigeria (city of Lagos), Palau (state of Koror), and unknown – Middle East/Arab (2).