Replicas of some of Victoria’s rarest licence plates are set to ignite a fierce bidding war on Tuesday, with expectations that they will fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars. Sixteen heritage plates, designed in the style of 1930s registration plates, will be auctioned, drawing attention from collectors and enthusiasts alike.
The handcrafted enamel plates feature numerals only, complemented by a vertical “VIC” insert on the left side. These replicas pay homage to a time when only 285,000 number combinations were issued before Victoria transitioned to alphanumeric licence plates in 1939. Historically, plates with numbers closer to 1 have commanded higher prices, with plate “20” selling for $2.54 million in June last year, plate “14” fetching $2.27 million in 2022, and plate “96” reselling for $1.472 million earlier this year, having previously changed hands for $830,000 in 2022.
High Demand for Heritage Plates
The upcoming auction is expected to see high interest, reflecting the growing popularity of custom plates in Victoria. The plates up for auction include:
- 488
- 899
- 1013
- 3020
- 5656
- 6006
- 9559
- 16000
- 32323
- 48888
- 55550
- 90900
- 100661
- 100788
- 100881
- 100989
Determining Value
A diverse group of motoring enthusiasts, collectors, business owners, and design lovers will vie for their favorite numbers. According to VicRoads registration and licensing services chief executive Giles Thompson, combinations featuring five or six digits could be highly sought after, especially those with lucky sequences or elegant symmetry.
“They’re more than just registration numbers. They’re a statement of style, authenticity, and craftsmanship,” Mr. Giles said. “Heritage plates are the showpiece of Victorian licence plates, and some are worth more than the cars they’re attached to.”
The average price for a Victorian three-digit plate sold this financial year stands at $380,000, underscoring the significant value these plates hold.
Historical Context and Market Trends
Ramy Attia, auctioneer and founder of Heritage Only, has facilitated the sale of over $17.5 million worth of licence plates over the past five years. He notes that buyers are often competing for a unique piece of motoring history. “Most cars depreciate over time, depending on what vehicle it is, while these plates have a track record of being appreciating assets,” Mr. Attia explained.
“As an example, if a three-digit plate traded hands in 1984 for $5,000, the same three-digit plate today could be selling for $500,000. We sold Victoria plate ‘184’ in February this year, that traded hands for $510,000. The vendor had it for 32 years in his collection.”
Mr. Attia highlighted that plate “911,” sold in 2018 for $525,000, could now be worth seven figures, particularly as a “holy grail” for Porsche 911 owners.
The Spectacle of the Auction
VicRoads chief commercial officer David Ginnane anticipates Tuesday’s auction will be a thrilling event, with fierce competition over “the most rare, exclusive, and sought-after plates in the portfolio.”
“[They’re] very rare, very iconic, and steeped in Victoria’s motoring history,” Mr. Ginnane remarked. “I love the auction, it’s one of the highlights of my year, not so much for the auction itself, which is just a fantastic experience, but … the car park out the front is just phenomenal. The style of cars that you see in front of the Park Hyatt on the evening — Aston Martins, Lamborghinis, Maseratis, McLarens. Highly valuable sports cars, but the plates on the cars are often worth more.”
Mr. Attia predicts that plate “488” will be the most lucrative item of Tuesday’s selection. “It’s a collector’s dream to have a plate that matches the car model, like the 488 Ferrari Pista,” he said. “If you buy that plate and you’re matching it with the car, it’s a pretty iconic combination to have.”
All 500 tickets for the heritage plates live auction at the Park Hyatt Grand Ballroom have been sold, but registered bidders can still participate online, ensuring a global audience for this prestigious event.
