Numerical number plates continue to be hot property in the collector market, with a select consignment of just over a dozen six digit Victorian plates achieving outstanding results in Donington Auction’s ‘Numbers Only Plate Auction’ on 31 October.
Offered on behalf of VicRoads, book-ended combinations saw strong, competitive bidding with ‘966.699’ achieving $11,000 at the close of bidding, and ‘8’ combinations continued to be sought-after by collectors whether for synergy or numerology reasons.
Australia’s non-heritage six-digit numerical plate market has dramatically increased in value in recent years, fueled by new collectors entering the market. Another contributing factor to this collectability is that these types of plates are no longer available for purchase directly from VicRoads.
This year, Donington Auctions has set several benchmark results for custom numerical and six-digit Heritage plates.
In August, the revered ‘123 456’ plate eclipsed Donington’s pre-auction estimate of $250,000 – 300,000, selling for $363,000. And earlier in the year, ‘888 888’ achieved an equally impressive $230,000, smashing the previous auction record of $53,000 set in 2022 for the non-heritage plate ‘911 911’.
“We are thrilled with the response and auction participation, which resulted in a 100 per cent sale rate,” Donington Director Cameron Sabine said.
“This offering from the vaults of VicRoads demonstrates the growth in this segment of the market, which was reflected in the large number of first time bidders in the auction.
“We received good feedback about this latest plate offering and the new and more modern aluminium framed Prestige format, and one of the factors behind that is that many of the coveted low-digit heritage plates are now so valuable that they are out of reach for many enthusiasts and collectors.”
Donington Auction’s next sale ‘Collector Car & Number Plate Auction – Featuring the Fine Stables of the Late Ric Begg & Turner Foundation’ is scheduled to close in early December.
It will also offer a healthy selection of desirable Victorian registration plates, with a highlight being the enamelled Heritage plate ‘123-567’ which is sure to create a stir in the market.
