12/03/11

Minnesota

PASSENGER

1978 blue/white "AAA 000" base:  This base was used just before the graphic lake base and was a plain design like previous issues.  Plate number blocks ran from "AAA" through "CGZ" with the "CEN" and up blocks using the thinner dies found on the graphic lake base.

Lake graphic:  The lake graphic began in 1978 and has been modified periodically over the years.  The following is a summary of the differences in the modifications.

1978 base:  Without "EXPLORE", light colored background, without state outline plate number separator, "AAA 000" plate number format starting at the "CHA" block.

1982 base:  Without "EXPLORE", light colored background, but with a state outline plate number separator.  Continued the "AAA 000" plate number format, but started at the "LAA" block.

1989 (blue/multicolored) vg $3.00 "MOZ 591" (11566)

1990 (blue/multicolored) vg $3.00 "LER 361" (11567)

1987 base:  This base began the "EXPLORE" caption in the top left of the plate, had a darker blue background, "10,000 lakes" is on a blue bar across the bottom of the plate, solid lake shore, with state outline plate number separator, and "000 AAA" plate number format starting at the "AAA" block.  This base replaced the previous "lake" bases.

1989 (blue/multicolored) vg $3.00 "161 AUY" (11568)

1993 (blue/multicolored) natural m $5.00 "692 HSD" (10613)

1994 (blue/multicolored) vg $3.00 "709 BOF" (11571)

1993 base:  This base continues the "EXPLORE", "000 AAA" plate number format, state outline plate number separator, and darker blue background.  The bottom of the plate, where the "10,000 lakes" slogan is, now fades white to blue bottom, as well as a fading lake shore above.  Plates are now made with aluminum.

1997 base:  Same as 1992 base, but switch to "AAA 000" plate number format.

2000 (approximately) base:  Continues the also a "AAA 000" plate number format, but with very little blue fade at the bottom of the plate.