I couldn't see California going away from the pre determined vin system and trying to figure out a mopar vin. The main reason would be what if California DMV guessed a vin that was actually in use allready?
They would have there own system. Just like dodge has a different system than ford and so on...
Maybe the tag was a blank one that was stolen and then punched out. Usually they use special rivets as well.
It still doesn't seam right at all.