Original Pair of 1963 Base California Black Plates
Auction Day: Thursday, October 1
Exceptionally preserved, original pair of California “Black Plates” featuring the highly desirable Northern California “DUK” letter sequence. Discovered as a matched set while clearing out a private estate, these authentic stamped steel plates are believed to have originally been on a Porsche 356.
The pair includes the front plate with the debossed “63” in the right well and the matching rear plate, which proudly displays a highly intact, authentic yellow 1966 California registration validation sticker.
Historical Regional Distribution: During the 1963 statewide block reissue, the California DMV assigned sequential letter blocks geographically. The “DUK” prefix was strictly distributed within Northern California, making these plates historically accurate for a vehicle originally delivered or registered in the areas like San Francisco Bay Area or Sacramento.
Year of Manufacture (YOM) Eligibility: Crucially for collectors, this pair is fully authentic and eligible for the California DMV Year of Manufacture (YOM) program. This allows a buyer to legally register and run these exact period-correct vintage plates on any qualifying 1963 through 1966 model year vehicle.
Condition: Excellent vintage condition with crisp yellow embossed lettering over a deep black background. Minor period character as expected from long term dry estate storage. A premier, investment grade accessory to complete a concours level restoration.
