First Alaska License Plate
The first automobile in Alaska was reportedly built by Rovert E. Sheldon in Skagway in 1905 and is now on display at the University of Alaska Museum at the College of Alaska. It is doubtful that this automobile had any license plates in the very early days.
In 1921, a special tag was to be issued by the Territorial Treasurer upon receipt of the appropriate registration fee. This legislation was passed on May 5, 1921 and became effective immediately. Since only one license plate was issued in 1921 and subsequent years, mounted on the rear of each vehicle, many communities needed their own local license plates as a source of revenue for local street improvements.
Alaska License Plate Color Scheme and Materials
| Year | License Plate Color Scheme | License Plate Material |
| 1921 | Black on Yellow Orange | Steel |
| 1922 | Orange on Black | Steel |
| 1923 | White on Dark Blue | Steel |
| 1924 | Black on Orange | Steel |
| 1925 | Gray on Red | Steel |
| 1926 | Black on Green | Steel |
| 1927 | White on Dark Blue | Steel |
| 1928 | Red on Cream Yellow | Steel |
| 1929 | White on Dark Red | Steel |
| 1930 | White on Dark Blue | Steel |
| 1931 | Black on Gray | Steel |
| 1932 | White on Purple | Steel |
| 1933 | White on Dark Red | Steel |
| 1934 | White on Dark Green | Steel |
| 1935 | Black on Orange | Steel |
| 1936 | Dark Blue on White | Steel |
| 1937 | White on Dark Blue | Steel |
| 1938 | Red on White | Steel |
| 1939 | Black on Silver | Steel |
| 1940 | Black on Orange | Steel |
| 1941 | White on Dark Green | Steel |
| 1942 | Black on White | Steel |
| 1943 | White on Medium Blue | Steel |
| 1944 | White on Black | Steel |
| 1945 | Ivory on Medium Green | Fiberborad |
| 1946 | White on Maroon | Fiberborad |
| 1947 | Yellow on Dark Blue | Fiberborad |
| 1948 | Blue on Pale yellow | Aluminum |
| 1949 | Blue on White | Aluminum |
| 1950 | Blue on Orange | Steel/Aluminum |
| 1951 | Blue on Yellow | Steel/Aluminum |
| 1952 | Blue on White | Steel |
| 1953 | Blue on Yellow | Aluminum from then on |
| 1954 | Red on Aluminum “54” date tabs to renew 1953 plates | Aluminum |
| 1955 | White on Black “55” date tabs to renew 1953 plates | Aluminum |
| 1956 | Blue on White | Aluminum |
| 1957 | White on Red “57” date tabs to renew 1956 plates | Aluminum |
| 1958 | Blue on Yellow | Aluminum |
| 1959 | Red on White “59” date tabs to renew 1958 plates | Aluminum |
| 1960 | Dark Blue on White | Aluminum |
| 1961 | White on Reflective Blue “61” date tabs to renew 1960 plates | Aluminum |
| 1962 | Dark Blue on White | Aluminum |
| 1963 | White on Reflective Blue “63” date tabs to renew 1962 plates | Aluminum |
| 1964 | Blue on Reflective Gold “64” stickers to renew 1962 plates | Aluminum |
| 1965 | Reflective Gold on Blue “65” stickers to renew 1962 plates | Aluminum |
| 1966 | Reflective Gold on Blue | Aluminum |
| 1967 | Reflective Blue on Gold “67” plate stickers | Aluminum |
| 1968 | Reflective Blue on White | Aluminum |
| 1969 | Reflective White on Blue “69” plate stickers | Aluminum |
| 1970 | Reflective Blue on Gold | Aluminum |
| 1971 | Reflective White on Blue “71” plate stickers | Aluminum |
| 1972 | Reflective White on Green “72” plate stickers | Aluminum |
| 1973 | Reflective White on Black “73” plate stickers | Aluminum |
| 1974 | Black on Reflective Red “74” plate stickers | Aluminum |
| 1975 | Black on Reflective White “75” plate stickers | Aluminum |
| 1976 | Reflective Red and Brown on White | Aluminum |
| 1977 | Black on Reflective Orange “77” plate stickers | Aluminum |
| 1978 | Black on Reflective Light Yellow “78” plate stickers | Aluminum |
| 1979 | Reflective White on Light Green “79” plate stickers | Aluminum |
| 1980 | Black on Reflective Red “81” plate stickers | Aluminum |
| 1981 | Reflective White on Dark Blue “82” plate stickers, Reflective Dark Blue on Gold on new plates | Aluminum |
| 1982 | Reflective White on Green “83” plate stickers | Aluminum |
