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Journal of Antiques and Collectibles and Asheford Institute of Antiques have teamed up to present: Asheford Institute of Antiques

APPRAISERS CORNER Certified Appraisal Training
www.asheford.com

with David L Moore CPAA, Certified Professional Antiques Appraiser A Commitment to Excellence Since 1966

Hi David - give to a room. I do have to say though. Like any other collectible, some
One of my relatives used to collect old license plates and gave me a few. license plates are worth thousands of dollars as well as many that are
They were in a box and put into a barn on the property and were forgotten very affordable.
over time. Recently my wife came across the one remaining and although I To many, it is the excitement of going to an auction and purchasing
realize it is in poor shape, I would like to know if it had any value. Beyond 20 different license plates hoping to find a valuable one in the group.
that, I would like to know a little bit more about why old license plates are Pre-state or early-state plates usually fetch a higher dollar than later
collected and what I should be looking for if I get into it myself. I see them mass-produced plates. Of course, like any other antique and collectible,
from time to time and always have the idea of collecting them in the back the better the condition the more valuable.
of my mind thanks to my family. Your 1924 Rhode Island License plate would have originally been
Thank you – David painted with a dark background and white letters. It has embossed
numbers and letters on pressed steel and is rusted with some damage by
corrosion with bends and flaking white color but pleasing in appear-
ance. Rhode Island issued the 1924 license plates in pairs for the front
and back of the vehicle. If I were to see this license plate for sale at an
antique and collectible shop, I would expect to pay $20/$25. I have
seen pairs in better condition for sale at $50. Some people prefer to pur-
chase just one license plate. People who own a 1924 car in Rhode Island
would want to purchase the set.
One other point about the condition of this license plate. In the
Hello David, and thank you for this piece of 1980s I was involved with quite a bit of automobilia since I had a few
rusty treasure. I love barn finds. I have been in clients who collected cars and they wanted everything if not perfectly
many barns appraising treasures that are covered original, restored, repainted in original colors, and as pristine as it could
in patina, or at least I want them to be covered be made. Whereas for the past 15 years I have seen a shift in this men-
in patina. Being in a barn though, I have found tality by many collectors. They collect less-than-perfect automobiles
a few items that were covered with something and motorcycles wanting to leave their finds in their original found
other than patina. Even today, one does not condition, rust color and all. Your Barn find license plate would be very
know what is being stored in an old barn. desirable today with this mindset.
I have personally appraised or purchased old In stating the above, I would leave this 1924 Rhode Island license
Motorcycles, a 1964 Corvette with 50,000 plate unrestored, and I hope you start collecting them, but I am warn-
original miles on it, valuable carved duck, goose, ing you if you collect more than one, it could lead to an addiction –
and crow decoys, Japanese WW2 GI bring- they are fun to look for! Display it and enjoy it for the history it brings.
home Samurai Swords, etc. Just 4 days ago I
appraised an 1860s Confederate arsenal altered David L Moore
musket made into a carbine that was found in a Certified Professional Antiques Appraiser
barn outside of Fredericksburg Virginia and the
barrel still had an exceptionally large period load
of shot and black powder in it, of which I had to David Moore is part of the school’s “Ask The Experts” appraising team,
pull out before appraising. Yes, I have spent many and is an honors graduate and “Certified” Asheford Institute of
fun times in barns across this country of ours. Antiques Appraiser. Moore owns Waterman’s Antiques, was President
Your barn-found 1924 Rhode Island license of the Indiana Archaeo logical Society, and is a published author,
plate is still a very collectible and sought-after with over 50 years of experience in the research and study of antiques
and collectibles.
treasure. In 2024, this piece will be officially an
antique. People who collect license plates are not
just collectors of automobilia, they are also col-
lected by period nostalgia collectors, State
or local items collectors, revenue item collectors,
decorators, and evencollectors who collect items
made in prisons. Many people do not realize
that many State prisons had license plate manu-
facturing facilities that employed prisoners to
make the plates. Some people collect license plates made using varied
materials. There was pressed steel, porcelain coated, tin, and aluminum
as well as a composition plate that was used by many states during the
war years when metal was at a premium.
I once had a friend who owned a car and toy museum outside of
South Bend Indiana. He had an entire wall on the inside of his museum
paneled in old license plates and I can remember him telling me that if
he lost all ability to purchase expensive items, he would still collect
license plates because of affordability and just the wonderful look they

Journal of Antiques & Collectibles and Asheford Institute of Antiques have teamed up to provide our readers with professional appraisers to help you learn more
about and value your finds. We welcome your questions and photos. Send your information to editorial@journalofantiques.com or mail to Journal of Antiques &
Collectibles, PO Box 950, Sturbridge, MA 01566 attn: Appraisers Corner. To learn more about becoming a “certified” antiques appraiser, visit www.asheford.com.

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