Historical License Plate Appraisal

1947 Wisconsin Passenger Vehicle License Plate

This is an authentic 1947 Wisconsin passenger vehicle license plate, featuring the state's iconic 'America's Dairyland' slogan. The plate is constructed from stamped steel with a traditional rectangular shape featuring rounded corners. It utilizes a high-contrast color scheme consisting of white embossed alphanumeric characters set against a deep black painted background. The top text reads 'EXP. WISCONSIN 47', and the bottom displays the state's dairy slogan. The central registration number is '3 27840'. Notable physical characteristics include six circular mounting holes located at the corners and centers of the long edges, which facilitated attachment to varied vehicle mounting brackets of the era. Regarding condition, the plate shows significant signs of age and patina consistent with a 75-plus-year-old automotive artifact. There is visible paint loss and chipping on several of the raised white numerals, particularly on the '3' and '2', revealing the dark base metal underneath. Surface scratches and minor indentations are present across the black enamel field. There is evidence of mild oxidation and surface rust, especially around the edges and mounting holes. Despite this wear, the plate remains structurally sound and all embossed text remains legible, maintaining its historic character. This specific design reflects the post-WWII manufacturing period where steel was once again readily available for civilian production.