A “rare” Australian number plate that first hit the streets more than a century ago is expected to sell for an exorbitant sum.
The South Australian licence plate, first issued in the early 20th century, is expected to sell at auction for more than $1 million.
Plate number 8 was first issued to Arthur Earnest Ayers, son of businessman and politician Sir Henry Ayers, in 1906.
More than a century later, the plaque will be auctioned on behalf of the South Australian government.
With just over a day left until the sale at Slattery Auctions closes, the coveted license plate has already racked up an exorbitant $1.3 million bid.
More than 60 people have bid on the plate since the auction opened to the public late last month, with an additional 1,630 spectators.
Historic license plate auctioneer Stewart Kay said the last time the state government issued a single-digit license plate was in 1985.
“It’s very rare and special,” Key told 7News.
The number 8 license plate has gone up for auction in South Africa. Photo: Slattery Auction
‘The license plates have a very historical connection that dates back 120 years, when they were first issued.
He added that the beauty of a license plate is that it does not require repainting or maintenance.
‘They’re kind of a triple threat: They look fantastic on a car, they have a great return in terms of investment and they carry a certain level of prestige.’
Mr Kay said interest in number plates had boomed in the early 2000s and had outpaced sales of vintage watches, cars and shares.
“People collect vintage watches, vintage cars, stocks, all those stocks (and) license plates have far outperformed all of those if you look at what they’re worth now.”
Historic license plate auctioneer Stewart Kay.
A historic number 1 license plate went up for auction earlier this year in New South Wales, with bids exceeding $10 million in the first 72 hours.
Slattery Auctions’ other plates include No. 55, which has a current bid of $226,000, and No. 873, which has a bid of $150,100.
A No. 1 plate is also known to exist in South Australia, registered on a delivery van from the 1950s.
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