At the Goodwood Festival of Speed in Chichester, an auctioneer announced rising bids for a particular lot that began at £180,000. The atmosphere was tense as participants awaited the final bid for lot 56, which turned out to be a number plate, rather than a car. The auction has drawn attention because the UK record for a number plate sold at auction is £518,480, set in 2014, while private sales have reached astronomical figures, as seen in Dubai with a plate that sold for £12 million in 2023.
John Harrison, an enthusiast known for his work in autonumerology, suggested that interest in number plates spans various categories, including personal significance and technical patterns. He recounted the history of number plates in the UK, which were introduced in 1903, evolving from single letters and numbers to more complex formats.
At a separate event, the Registration Numbers Club rally, enthusiasts gathered to celebrate their shared interest. For example, Neal Bircher has notably owned plates like “NEA 1” and “149 PCE”, linking him to historical film artifacts.
In the auction, Richard Conway is selling the “1 HRH” plate for £2.5 million, raising questions among experts about its evaluation. Angela Banh, from Regtransfers, noted the potential for high-value plates but indicated that not all appraisals reflect market interest.
At the same time, the enthusiastic bidding for “JB 1” progressed, breaking through the £400,000 mark. Why do such items resonate with buyers? Notably, a DVLA survey indicated that many individuals seek personalized plates for personal connections rather than as mere investments.
This auction concluded with “JB 1” selling for £608,600, setting a new record in the UK. The identity of the winning bidder remains undisclosed, hinted only to share the initials JS, generating curiosity about who could potentially be the new owner.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/sep/13/obsessive-collectors-pay-big-money-personalised-number-plates