Every year for the last 40 years the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association (ALPCA) selects America's best license plate. This year's 40th anniversary competition featured a record number of nominations from as far away as American Samoa. There's even a bear-shaped plate! Here are America's 12 best license plates.

ALPCA focuses on the designs of the plates, not the clever alphanumerical contents, and this year's nominations represent a pleasing mix of modern and classic looks. Some are extremely ornamental while others embrace simplicity.

Click through the gallery above to see the winning plate and the 11 nominees.