JoeWay
Well-known member
Tell 'em the fellow you bought them from told you they were NOS.
There are several plate vendors offering brand-new California license plates still in the original DMV packaging. See for instance
http://www.davesclp.com/platesforsale.htm
Dave also offers restored plates guaranteed to clear DMV. I don't think restoration is an issue, unless it was such a poor job that it's obvious.
If they were done by a pro, the DMV won't be able to tell.
Joe