Missing ID plates

[jjacob]

Just an observation. What is the deal with missing ID plates on the top of the phone housing on AE payphones? About 30% of the phones under $250 on eBay have missing ID plates. These are riveted on. Why would someone remove this?
John

[rdelius]

Many of the telephones are reproduction .If the set was rebuilt  to another type it might not get replaced. Many sets had instruction card holders that attached to the same holes with the card on top. Remove the holder and no plate unless put back.