Guam
 |
STATUS: United States Territory
PRONOUNCED: Gwom
CAPITAL:Agaña
WORLD LOCATION: North Pacific Ocean
LICENSED MOTOR VEHICLES: 130,000
FIRST LICENSE PLATES IN USE: Approximately 1916
FIRST GOVERNMENT REGISTERED LICENSE PLATES IN USE: Earliest known issues are from 1924.
PLATES ARE: Officially issued.
COLOR CODE FOR ALL YEARS OF GUAM PLATES:
1916-23 red/yellow or white;
flat; "A" prefix; this plate is verified as a pair and one of the pair has
"GUAM - DEC 1916" & "FORD" on it; these could represent pre-territory
plates
1924 silver/dark blue; vertical
"GUAM" over "24" right; known verified plate carries an "A" prefix which
has been suggested as Administration but never proven; NOTE! 1924 through
1948 plates were flat steel and all stencilled
1925 white/green; black/white;
13 x 5 1/4; serial verified is AA-4; vertical "GUAM" over "25" right
1926 white/blue; red/gray or
white; vertical "GUAM" over "26" right; serial could not be read
1927 green/yellow
1928 yellow/blue
1929 black/white; "GUAM" vertical
left; "1929" vertical right
1930 black/yellow; flat; 13
x 5 1/4; "GUAM" vertical left; "1930" vertical right
1931 white/salmon red; 1930
size and format
1932 dark green/white; flat;
13 x 5 1/2; "GUAM" vertical left; "1932" vertical right
1933 white/green
1934 black/white; stencilled;
"GUAM" vertical left; "1934" vertical right
1935 yellow-orange/black;
stencilled; "GUAM" vertical left; "1935" vertical right
1936 black (blue) /silver;
stencilled; "GUAM" vertical left; "1936" vertical right
1937 medium blue/yellow;
flat-stencilled; 1930 format; 1 example exists with the "GUAM" vertical right
and "1937" left
1938 yellow/black; stencilled;
"GUAM" vertical left; "1938" vertical right
1939 yellow/black; flat; 12
x 5 1/2; "GUAM" vertical left; "1939" vertical right
1940 white/black; flat; "GUAM"
vertical left; "1940" vertical right
1941 orange/black; flat; "GUAM"
vertical left; "1941" vertical right
1942 black/orange; no details
1943 white/black; no details
1944 black/orange; no details
1945 black/white; flat; 10
x 5; "GUAM" vertical left; "1945" vertical right; #107 verified
1946 black/silver white;
stencilled; "GUAM" vertical left; "1946" vertical right
1947 black/white-gray; stencilled;
"GUAM" vertical left; "1947" vertical right
1948 black/yellow; "GUAM" vertical
left; "1948" vertical right; NOTE! first embossed plate; no serial separator
1949 white/navy blue; 12 x
5; 1948 format; no serial separator
1950 orange/black; 12 x 5;
1948 format
1951 black/aluminum tab on
48 base
1952 black/orange; steel; 12x5;
1948 format; no serial separator
1953 black/aluminum tab on
1952 base; tab has stacked "53" format
1954 white/black tab on 52
base; tab has stacked "54" format
1955 white/dark green; 12 x
5; steel; "GUAM" vertical left; "1955" vertical right
1956 white/black tab on 55
base; 2" tall, 1 3/4" wide at top but only 1/2" wide at bottom; embossed
border right side and bottom; stacked "56" right; bolt hole in bottom left
ear
1957 black/yellow; 12 x 5;
"GUAM" vertical left; "1957" vertical right; dash separator before last 3
numbers
1958 white/black tab on 57
base; 2 1/2" tall, 1 3/4" wide at top and 2 3/4" wide at bottom; 1956 format
1959 cream yellow/dark green;
12x5; 1948 format; dash separator before last 3 numbers
1960 black/cream yellow; "GUAM"
bottom flanked by "19" & "60" in corners; dash separator used before
last 3 digits; 00-000 serial format
1961 white/black; 60 format;
00-000 serial format
1962 black/red-orange; 60 format
1963 black/white; 60 format
- NOTE! plates from 1963 to date are aluminum
1964 white/medium blue; 60
format
1965 medium blue/white; "HAFA
ADAI" (Chamorro term meaning "Hello") at top; "19 GUAM USA 65" bottom
1966 all refl white/red sticker
on 65 base; 1 7/8 x 1 1/2; "GUAM" top; "66" center; black/refl white serial
number bottom; NOTE! a 1966 and 1967 sticker is pictured on a 1964 base in
the February 1985 newsletter.
1967 all refl white/lemon-yellow
sticker on 65 base; 1 1/2 x 1 3/8; 66 format
1968 all refl white/mint green
sticker on 65 base; 1 1/2" square; "GUAM" top; "68" center; black/refl white
serial bottom
1969 refl white/black sticker
on 65 base; 68 size and format
1970 yellow/dark green; "AMERICA'S
DAY BEGINS IN" + sticker box top; serial center; "19 GUAM USA 70" bottom
flanked by 2 tall latte stones
1971 black/refl white sticker
on 70 base; 1 5/8 x 3/4"; "GUAM" top; "71" center; serial number bottom
1972 black/refl green sticker
on 70 base; 71 size and format
1973 black/refl red-orange
sticker on 70 base; 71 size and format
1974 black/refl silver white;
"HAFA ADAI" top; "74 GUAM USA" + sticker box bottom; dash separator before
the last 3 numbers; undated issues dropped the dash separator 4 types exist:
1) dated, sticker box, large dies - 2) undated, no sticker box, large dies
- 3) undated, no sticker box, small dies, close "USA" - 4) undated, no sticker
box, small dies, wide "USA"
1975 all refl white/medium
blue sticker on 74 base; 1 1/2 x 7/8; "GUAM" over "75"
1976 black/refl white sticker
on 74 base; 1 1/2 x 3/4"; "GUAM" over "76" over serial
1977 black/refl red sticker
on 74 base; 1 1/2 x 3/4"; "GUAM" over "77" over serial
1978 black/refl yellow sticker
on 74 base; 1 1/2 x 1 1/8"; serial number over "78" - NOTE! effective May
1st, a staggered expiration system was introduced with the month of expiration
dependent on the last digit of the registration number. In addition to option
was given of renewing for 1 to 3 years with appropriate plate stickers reading
"78", "79", or "80"
1979 all refl white/medium
green; 1 1/2 x 1 1/8; serial number over "79"
1980 black/refl salmon sticker
on 74 base; 1 1/2 x 1 1/8; serial over "80"
(1980) black/refl white; "HAFA
ADAI" top; "GUAM USA" bottom; small numerals; this may be issued either in
1979 or 1980; black/refl white "81" sticker validated plate; 80 size and
format - NOTE! there are a variety of die variations on this base mostly
involving spacing of the letters of the top and bottom legends.
1982 black/refl blue sticker
on 80 base; 83 size and format
1983 black/refl purple sticker
on 80 base; 1 1/2 x 3/4"; "GUAM" top; "83" center; serial number bottom
1983- blue & red/refl white;
screened red "GUAM U.S.A." top flanked by black outlined flat sticker boxes;
black ox-cart logo lower left; red screened "HUB OF THE PACIFIC" lower right;
blue embossed serial
1984 black/refl red sticker
on 83 base; 1 1/2 x 1 1/4"; "GUAM" top; "84" center; serial number bottom
- NOTE! 2 different size stickers exist; one is rectangular and one is square
1985 black/refl green sticker
on 83 base; 84 format
1986 black/orange sticker on
83 base undated dark green/refl white; alpha-numeric serial with outline
of island and 2 latte stones in center as a serial separator; "HAFA ADAI"
top; outlined sticker area top right; "GUAM U.S.A." bottom; all screened
except serial;
1987 black/silver sticker on
86 base
1988 yellow/black sticker on
86 base
1989 red/black sticker on 86
base
1990 green/black sticker on
86 base
1991 refl white/black sticker
on 86 base
1992 refl white/blue sticker
on 86 base
1993 refl white/orange sticker
on 86 base
1994 black/refl white &
yellow; "GUAM U.S.A." top; "94" top center; "TANO Y CHAMORRO" bottom;
yellow-orange outline of island in center as separator; AAA 0000 serial format
with the letters smaller than the numbers; the underlined letters indicate
the name of the town; blue/white month sticker top left corner; government
symbol in the lower left corner; yellow/blue sticker lower right corner with
the name of the village in which the registrant lives.
1995 orange/black sticker on
94 base
1996 black/refl sticker on
94 base; large "96" center
CURRENT PASSENGER LICENSE PLATE VILLAGE CODES:
AGA - Agaña
AGT - Agat
AHT - Agaña
Heights
ASA - Asan
BAR - Barrigada
CHP - Chalan
Pago
DED - Dededo
DLR - Current Auto Dealer
HAR - Harmon
INA - Inarajan
MAI - Maite
MAL - Malojloj
MAN - Mangilao
MER - Merizo
MNG - Mongmong
MTE - Maite
(secondary code)
ORD - Ordot
PIT - Piti
SNJ - Sinajana
SRT - Santa
Rita
STR - Santa
Rita (secondary code)
TAL - Talofofo
TAM - Tamuning
TUM - Tumon
UMA - Umatac
YIG - Yiga
YON - Yona
TYPES OF NON-PASSENGER PLATES
A
= (prefix) - Administration Vehicles, used from 1916 through 1928.
AMATEUR
RADIO - used from 1964 through present. Has the call sign as the plate
number.
B
= (prefix) - Bus - used from 1960 through present.
BUS,
Government - white on red, usually stencilled flat steel - B prefix
CITIZEN
BAND RADIO - few known. 1964 is white on blue, with "Citizens Radio"
across the top, "Guam" across the bottom. - has CB call signs as plate number.
There is also a 1970 issue number KOTO 396 known to exist.
C =
(prefix) - Truck (Commercial) - Verified as early as 1955, commercial vehicles
before this time probably utilized passenger plates.
CONSULAR
CORPS - verified only for 1986 issue, dark green/refl white; embossed
"CONSUL" over "GENERAL" with outline of island and 2 latte stones in center
behind the legend; "HAFA ADAI" top; outlined sticker area top right; "GUAM
U.S.A." bottom; all screened except serial number.
D
= (prefix) - Dealer. Verified as far back as 1932.
DLR
= (prefix) - Current Dealer plates, as of yellow map issue.
GOVERNMENT - early issues white white on red stencilled plate, with
the legend "GOVERNMENT" across the bottom, and the island name across the
top. Some plates had "24 HOURS SERVICES" on the plate. More recently, red
on white plates with the legend "GOVERNMENT OF GUAM" have come into use,
with a GG prefix.
GOVERNMENT
MOTORCYCLE - similar to standard Government plates, red on white with
a GG prefix, on a smaller plate. Earlier Government motorcycle plates were
handpainted white on red plates, with an M prefix.
GOVERNOR
- Simple number 1 plate
GOVERNOR'S
PRIVATE VEHICLE - The Governor of Guam has plate number 1A on his private
"family" vehicle.
GUAM
POLICE DEPARTMENT MOTORCYCLE - GPD prefix, 4 x 7 green on white latte/map
graphic, low number follows the GPD.
HANDICAPPED - "wheelchair" prefix - undated green/refl white Latte
graphic base; small wheelchair logo left center followed by "H" prefix and
3 digit serial; NOTE! 2 sizes of the wheelchair are verified; one is the
same height as the numbers and the other is 50% less with thinner dies; the
smaller may be on higher numbers.
JUDICIARY - undated white/green; 12x6; all handpainted; "JUDICIARY"
bottom; "GUAM" bottom; numeric serial . Later issues are on the green/white
island/latte stone graphic base, with a low number, and an S suffix.
MOPED/BICYCLE (?) - white on black, only one known, from 1955. Smallish
plate, embossed steel, with GUAM and the year vertically down each end.
M
- Motorcycle. Officially issued since 1948, basically a shortened version
of the passenger plate, with an M prefix. There is a pre-1948 issue known,
in white on black, hand painted, approx. 8.75" x 4.75". Plate is number M-7.
This plate came from an old collection of world motorcycle plates, that all
dated from the late 1930's and early 1940's. There is some speculation that
motorcycles may not have been licensed during this period, and this plate
was made to order by an island resident to appease a collector.
NAVAL
GOVERNMENT - Sometime in the mid-1930's, NG prefix plates were used.
Plates numbers are reported to have been used as follows:
NG-1 Naval Governor of Guam 1-50 Officers of the Navy
& Marine Corps by seniority.
NG 51-65 Chief Petty Officers 66-80 American enlisted
personnel.
NG 81-100 Other American residents (civilian employees)
.
N.O.B.
= NAVAL ORDINANCE BASE - undated white on yellow, and white on red issues
known. Plates have N.O.B. across the top with GUAM, and a standard serial
number in the middle.
OFFICIAL - A few issues known, colors unknown - light on dark, with
an O prefix, and a low number serial.
P -
(prefix) - Public Vehicles / For Hire - Issues known from 1935 through 1948.
These plates were used on trucks, buses, cars, jitneys and ambulances.
PERMANENT - Early issues, white on green embossed, with SE prefix.
SAMPLE
- First issued in 1965 - number 0000, the undated oxcart base had the
number "SAMPLE". The later undated latte graphic base had the number AAA-000
with "SAMPLE" vertically at the left of the number. Alternative numbers and
combinations are most likely prototypes or test plates.
SE
- (prefix) - Special Equipment - verified from 1982 to present.
SENATOR - undated red/white; "SENATOR" top in 1 1/2" tall letters;
"TERRITORY" over "OF GUAM" center and bottom. No serial number. As of 1986,
dark green/refl white graphic map outline & latte stone base; large "SENATOR"
across center in lieu of serial number.
T -
(prefix) - Taxi. Verified in use from 1950 to present.
TR
- (prefix) - Tractor. Verified in use from 1961 to 1985. In 1986, a new series
came into use, with a 000 "W"AA format serial number.
US
- US NAVY OFFICERS - Sometime around the mid-1930's, high ranking naval personnel
were issued plates with "US" prefixes. The following are known:
US-1 Governing Commandant
US-2 Commanding Officer of the U.S. Marine Corps
USMC
- US MARINE CORPS issue - only one plate know if this type, a 1927 plate,
number 18 (pictured below).
VANITY - Six character personalized plates began in 1980, seven character
plates came into use in 1986.
X -
(prefix) - Privately owned Jitney. Issues known from 1928 to 1935.
UNKNOWN TYPES OF NON-PASSENGER PLATES - The following codes are used currently on certain non-passenger types, but it's unclear what the three letter codes signify. These are similar to passenger plates, but the letters follow the numbers:
FAP,
FSO, MLL, MSP, TFL, TFO, TLP. It's believed that these are used on
company-owned vehicles, mini-buses, pickup trucks, etc.
SINGLE PLATES OR PAIRS: Pairs
OVAL: USA
CARS DRIVE ON: Right
Header
photo from the PL8S archive.
GUAM COLOR codes courtesy of Dr. Roy Klotz, ALPCA Archivist.
 |
GUAM passenger plates, from the oldest known 1916 issue through 1935. - The #A-24 is red on either orange or a very discolored white. Not visible in the picture are the penciled words "GUAM" and "1916 FORD". It is believed that this plate, one of a matched pair, was used on a military naval base in Agana in the early 20th century, on one of a fleet of Model "T" cars in use at that time. The plate was discovered in a port city in Virginia, near a naval base. The rest are generally flat galvanized steel, with either hand painted or stencilled numbers. The plates from 1928, 1929 and 1934 are graphic representations only, as no actual plates are known to exist in collections. If you have a photo of an actual plate from one of these years, please email me HERE to let me know - I'd love to add it to the group! |
 |
GUAM passenger plates, from 1936 through 1949. - Plates from 1936 through 1947 are flat steel, either stencilled or hand painted. There are currently no known examples of plates from 1941-1944, especially during the years of Japanese occupation during World War II. The only known 1945 issue (number 107) is also of questionable authenticity. |
 |
GUAM passenger plates, from 1950 through 1963. - Tabs were put into use in an effort to conserve metal. Plate were first made of aluminum in 1957, and were of a standardized 6 x 12 size beginning in 1960. |
 |
GUAM passenger plates, from 1964 through the 1980s. Date stickers first came into use in 1966. Village codes came into use in the early 1990's. |
PL8S.COM Main Page | PL8S.COM Classified Ad Page | PL8S Magazine Info | Drew's License Plates for Sale
License Plates of North America | License Plates of South America | License Plates of Europe | License Plates of Asia
License Plates of Africa | License Plates of the Middle East | License Plates of Islands of the World
License Plate Collecting Clubs and Publications | Frequently Asked Questions | Photo Guide to Plate Grading
Directory of On-Line License Plate Collectors | Links to other License Plate Sites | License Plate Meets Calendar
Glossary of License Plate Collecting Terms and Abbreviations | Diplomatic/Govt. Codes | DMV Information
Drew's Coke Bottles of the World Page | East Texas Info Page | Drew's Cartoon Page | Email the Editor
