1959 base sample

1959 base sample

This is a more uncommon sample than other "N.J." straw base plates.

c. 1974 sample

Different numbering to reflect the change in real plates.

c. 1977 sample

Essentially the same pattern but "New Jersey" at the top was added, and a different serial (these plates started at 100-HCA, so it does make sense)

1979 base sample

Kind of an interesting choice, since ABC-000 plates were only issued on the straw base.

1979 base sample

1979 base sample

1992 sample, first-generation 3M sheeting

This is one of the variations of 7-character samples offered as soon as it came out...

1992 sample, first-generation 3M sheeting

...and this is the other one.

1992 sample, first-generation 3M sheeting

Okay, this doesn't look like a sample - it had me fooled at first too (in fact I traded one of these away years ago not knowing what it really was, oops), but this is a promotional plate used for displays in DMV's. Although never officially offered a sample, it's not quite a vanity either, because many of these exist. One of their uses was to promote NJ drivers to get their plates remade on the new graphic base, which makes sense, given the message on the plate.

1993 sample, first-generation 3M sheeting

This should have been the first plate in the new series after 7-character plates, but apparently they were made as samples instead.

1993 sample, first-generation 3M sheeting

Another more common version of this format.

1999 sample, first-generation 3M sheeting

This plate is for the return to the format that was left off in 1991. However, they quickly changed these samples to JAA-00A, see below.

1999 sample, first-generation 3M sheeting

I have all 3 versions of this sample - one for each sheeting type.

2001 sample, Avery sheeting

2004 sample, second-generation 3M sheeting

2007 sample, second-generation 3M sheeting

Well, they finally broke the JAA-00A pattern. What a bummer. AAA-000 makes no sense given that they stopped issuing this format over 20 years ago. And, for the record, the "boxless" plates are ugly.