c. 1905-1912

Leather Automobile License Plate

License plates as we know them today were not introduced until 1913. From 1905 to 1912, the Indiana General Assembly charged $1 to register a vehicle and gave each automobile owner a two-inch diameter brass or aluminum circular seal with a license number painted on it. This was hung from the vehicle's dashboard. The owner was allowed to make an identifying placard out of leather, tin, wood, or other materials to be displayed on the rear of the vehicle. This handmade leather license plate is from that time period.