 |  |
These plates were sold to motorists as a method of toll payment - an early predecessor to "E-Z Pass". They were displayed on the front of the vehicle, along with the regular license plate.
There were two types - one for the Connecticut Turnpike, the other for the Merritt/Wilbur Cross Parkway.
The Turnpike toll plates are much less common.
The Parkway Toll plates had three letters as designators - G for Greenwich, M for Milford, and W for Wallingford. These letters appeared in any combination on the plates, depending on the toll areas covered. Colors changed each year, and for each of the letter combinations as well. These started in the late 1930s/Early 1940s, with no captions- just the serial number. The legends came about in the mid 1940s. First, as 'PY . TOLL', then simply 'TOLL' and finally 'PKY. TOLL'.
The 1981 "M" plates had reflectorized numbers; I'm not sure any other years did.
These were last used in 1988. |
 |
|
Early-issue Merritt Parkway toll plate. Tolls were installed in 1939. This plate is from sometime between then and the late 1940s.
This plate measures 8-3/8" x 3-3/8".
I have seen black on white plates in this style, I believe those predate this one. |
|
| |
|
 |
 |
| 1978 Merritt Parkway - Milford |
1988 Merritt Parkway - Milford |
| |
|
 |
|
| 1988 Wilbur Cross Parkway - Wallingford |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
