Online Auction for Low-Numbered Cape & Island Plates Begins on July 8, 2008

Drive away with a low numbered Cape & Islands License Plate

Online auction for plates 1-999 begins July 8, 2008

HYANNIS – Massachusetts motorists will have a new opportunity to drive away with a coveted low numbered license plate and show their affinity for Cape Cod this July.  The newest crop of low numbered plates will be on the auction block when Cape Cod & Island plates 1-999 finally become available. 

The plates, which have been in circulation since 1995, feature iconic imagery of Nauset Light in Eastham, along with the cliffs of Siasconset in Nantucket and Gay Head on Martha’s Vineyard. The Cape & Islands plates have continually been the highest selling specialty license plate in the state of Massachusetts, raising more than thirteen million dollars for Cape and Islands-based nonprofit organizations over the years.

Bidding for plates 1-999 will begin on July 8, 2008 and continue through August 1, 2008.  All bids will be taken online at www.capeandislandsplate.com. 

Proceeds from the auction will benefit several non-profit organizations that promote tourism and economic development Cape-wide.  Beneficiaries include the Cape Cod Baseball League; the Lower Cape Cod Community Development Corporation; the Cape Cod Economic Development Council, Inc.; Barnstable County; Coastal Community Capital; and the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.

Proceeds from the auction will benefit several non-profit organizations that promote tourism and economic development Cape-wide. Beneficiaries include the Cape Cod Baseball League; the Lower Cape Cod Community Development Corporation; the Cape Cod Economic Development Council, Inc.; Barnstable County; Coastal Community Capital; and the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.

“We’re thrilled to finally make these low numbered plates available to the public,” said Paul Rumul, Chairman of the Cape & Islands License Plate Committee. “Every plate sold helps support tourism and economic development here on Cape Cod. And it’s a wonderful way for people to display their love of the Cape, whether they’re year-round residents or occasional visitors.  We know that people have been eagerly awaiting the chance to get their hands on these plates.”

While plate number 1 is expected to fetch top dollar, bidders are encouraged to also remember birthdays, anniversaries and other numbers that have personal meaning when bidding.

"The Cape and Islands plate is beautiful and consistently ranks as the RMV’s most popular special plate,” said Registrar Anne L. Collins. “Add the opportunity to get this plate with a low number and you’ve got a winning fundraiser that will benefit the residents and businesses of Cape Cod and the islands.”

Release courtesy of the MA RMV.