Mexican Graphic License Plates, Chiapas through Colima

Note on the sequencing on this page: Just in case your knowledge of the Spanish alphabet is as, uh, lacking as mine was, "Chiapas" and "Chihuahua" were assigned alphabetical codes 07 and 08 respectively, behind Coahuila and Colima, because "Ch" was its own letter in the Spanish alphabet, coming between C and D, until officially eliminated in 2000. The Mexican federal government assigned the serial blocks according to where the names fall within the new, Ch-less alphabet, though, with Chihuahua given plates in the late Dxx series while Coahuila has them in the late Exx series. Odd.

07: Chiapas

Chis Mex #DLV6546
Chiapas undated passenger issue. No-nonsense issue from Chiapas, with the entire state name embossed at the bottom and "Mexico" screened at the top. A graphic of a Mayan warrior is seen at the top left.
Chis Mex #DMB9085
Chiapas undated passenger issue. Slightly revised Chiapas graphic, later plates were issued with these security bar codes at the left. These also carry a sticker with a three-digit number on it, signifying expiration month and year. I believe this "061" sticker indicates a June (06) 2001 (1) expiration.
Chis Mex #DMR-27-37
Chiapas undated passenger issue. Current issue from Chiapas, featuring a graphic of the great fountain located in the capital city of Chiapa de Corzo. The state seal is also found at the bottom right.

08: Chihuahua

Chih Mex #DWA4272
Chihuahua undated passenger issue. Circa-1998 issue from "El Estado Grande," Chihuahua. Literally, "The Big State" - Chihuahua is the largest of the 31 Mexican states. The graphic contains another set of mountains, plus a group of running Raramuri natives. The state's coat of arms is featured bottom right, another common feature on these plates.
Chih Mex #DYH-34-76
Chihuahua undated passenger issue. This plate is quite similar to the first-generation plate from Chihuahua, which also featured a graphic of running Raramuri natives and the state's government logo.
Chih Mex #DZS-29-97
Chihuahua undated passenger issue. This issue from Chihuahua features an image of a monument to Francisco Villa in Chihuahua City, and the new slogan "Tierra de Encuentro" ("Land of Encounter"). What kind of encounter is unspecified, so proceed at your own risk. This plate uses an odd new production method where "MEXICO" is overprinted in silver lettering all through the serial of the plate. Several of the other 2006 issues also carries this overprinting, not sure if it's an anti-counterfeiting measure or what the story is.

05: Coahuila

Coah Mex #EWK2359
Coahuila undated passenger issue. Coahuila was one of the states to opt for a design featuring the state seal in the center. At the bottom right is a logo and the slogan "Coahuila - Tierra de Opportunidades" or "Land of Opportunity."
Coah Mex #EXV-14-35
Coahuila undated passenger issue. This plate features the state seal in the background, with the current government logo at the bottom right and the colors of Mexico's flag at bottom left.
Coah Mex #EYT-87-38
Coahuila undated passenger issue. Third graphic plate from Coahuila, this one features the image of Revolutionary hero Venustiano Carranza on a horse to the left, and the Cristo de las Noas monument (image of Christ on the cross) at the right. Other elements are similar to the second-generation plate.
Coah. Mex #FBD-75-87
Coahuila undated passenger issue. Fourth graphic issue for Coahuila, this time featuring a multi-color stylized state name and graphic of the Church of Santiago Apostol in Monclova, Coahuila (thanks for the caption, saved me some research).

06: Colima

Col Mex #FRS3044
Colima undated passenger issue. This is the current issue from Colima, one of a handful of states still using its first-generation graphic. This plate features a mountain in the background and treeline along the bottom. The state seal is shown at bottom left, with the "2000" date underneath. This may be the second Colima graphic issue, as a widely-circulated sample plate with a sailboat in the background exists, but I've yet to ever confirm one of those issues with an actual passenger serial.

Colima, like Aguascalientes, issued their first-generation graphic until 2005, not switching to their new graphic until other states were getting into the third-generation.

Col Mex #FRY-62-22
Colima undated passenger issue. Another oddity as far as the "generation" categories are concerned, as Colima issued its first-generation graphic in 2000 and then skipped directly to this plate in 2005. This new issue features the mountain theme again at the bottom, with a graphic of Rey Coliman (King Coliman) at the bottom left. This plate uses an odd new production method where "MEXICO" is overprinted in silver lettering all through the serial of the plate. The new Morelos and Sonora issues also carries this overprinting, not sure if it's an anti-counterfeiting measure or what the story is.

MX 1 Back to Mexican Graphics, Aguascalientes through Campeche
MX 3 Ahead to Mexican Graphics, Distrito Federal through Guerrero

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© Copyright 1998-2008 David Nicholson. All Rights Reserved.

Last Modified 7/16/2007 (created revised page).