Happy 4th of July to all of you! I thought that a posting on U.S. patriotic plates is good for today……Tom asked what types of patriotic plates are of interest to me…..patriotic, military, bicentennials.  I zeroed in on bicentennial plates. Most bicentennial plates are really colorful with varying degrees  of red, white and blue colors incorporated into the design.

18 states issued plates in 1976 that specifically celebrate the birth of our nation: Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, and Wyoming.

Some of these states also placed their state identity, called a “device” by collectors,  on their bicentennial plates…..Alabama – their state capitol, Alaska – the standing bear,  District of Columbia – our national Capitol, Indiana – the Minuteman, Colorado – outline of the Rocky mountains, Maryland – canons, Nebraska -covered wagon and Indian, Pennsylvania – the cracked Liberty bell, South Carolina – palmetto and a canon, South Dakota – Mount Rushmore and Wyoming – a bucking bronco.

Most of the bicentennial plates were general issue plates. However, residents of Georgia, Maryland, and Virginia  had special issue plates for 1976. Residents of these states had to pay an extra fee to get a bicentennial plate.