Low-numbered Cape & Islands Plates to be Auctioned Next Month

BARNSTABLE – The 20th anniversary of the Cape & Islands License Plate will be celebrated this summer with a special low-number auction.

For the first time, numbers 1 through 999 in the IC series of the plates will be available during an online auction from August 13 to the 18.

The Cape & Islands License Plate program is the most successful specialty plate in the state with more than 42,000 plates on the road.

The IC series started after all available plate numbers starting with CI were registered.

Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce CEO Wendy Northcross said the Cape & Islands License Plate Marketing Committee asked to hold the back numbers 1 through 999 to hold another auction.

“We had a very successful low-number auction for the CI plate combinations in 2008 and we figured it’s time to roll out those IC plates,” Northcross said.

Since the plates were started in 1996, they have generated more than $23 million to help strengthen the local economy and grow small businesses on the Cape.

“The message of what the money benefits really resonates with folks,” Northcross said. “[The funds] are dispersed among five organizations who help boost the Cape’s economy and make it a good place to live, work, play and create.”

The money is only used by nonprofits. Half of the funds are granted out and the other half goes to programs that are run on an annual basis.

The auction website is 501auctions.com/capeandislandsplate and interested buyers are encouraged to register now to receive updates once the auction goes live at 6 a.m. August 13.

Once the auction is live, residents can bid in real-time from their computers, tablets or mobile devices.

The full catalog of low-numbered plates is available to view online at the website.

There are a few low IC numbers that have been released already by the registry of motor vehciles.

“IC12 is already gone,” Northcross said. “We think maybe Gisele bought that for Tom. We’re not sure.”

Northcross said she expects the plates to sell well and that there will be some bargains.

The plate depicts Eastham’s Nauset Lighthouse along with the cliffs of Siasconset in Nantucket and Gay Head on Martha’s Vineyard.

By BRIAN MERCHANT, CapeCod.com NewsCenter

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