While many view license plates as ordinary car identifiers, serious collectors see them as valuable treasures. Some plates are worth more than luxury vehicles, driven by factors like rarity, unique combinations, and personalized designs. These plates symbolize status, prestige, and exclusivity. From single-digit plates in Dubai to custom designs in Texas, here are ten of the most expensive license plates ever sold, shedding light on their astronomical price tags.
1. Dubai P7 – UAE: $15 million
Sold in 2023, this single-digit plate holds the title for the most expensive license plate globally, purchased by an anonymous wealthy bidder, reflecting Dubai’s penchant for exclusivity.
2. Dubai 1 – UAE: $14.3 million
Bought by businessman Saeed Abdul Ghafour Khouri in 2008, this single-digit plate set a world record for the priciest license plate sold at a charity auction in Dubai.
3. Dubai D5 – UAE: $9 million
Another sought-after single-digit plate from Dubai, sold to an Indian businessman in 2016, showcasing the city’s fascination with low-numbered plates as symbols of affluence.
4. Dubai 09 – UAE: $5.7 million
In 2015, Dubai made headlines again with this plate fetching nearly $6 million, sold to an undisclosed buyer, adding to the city’s dominance in luxury license plates.
5. 8 – Australia: $2.3 million
This historic single-digit plate, issued in 1906 as Australia’s eighth-ever license plate, sparked a two-week bidding frenzy before being sold in 2024.
6. Disney World 50th Anniversary Plate – USA: $1.5 million
Created to celebrate Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary, this limited-edition plate raised $1.5 million for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, standing out for its unique design and charitable impact.
7. VIC 26 – Australia: $1.1 million
A rare vintage two-digit plate, sold for $1.11 million in Melbourne after being held by the same owner for over two decades, showcasing its enduring value.
8. Delaware 6 – USA: $675,000
This single-digit Delaware plate, sold for nearly $700k after its owner’s passing in 2008, was highly valued for its low serial number, surpassing the worth of the owner’s home.
9. F1 – UK: $618,000
Purchased in 2008 by British entrepreneur Afzal Kahn, this iconic low-number plate remains highly sought-after, with a current listing price nearing $15 million.
10. 12THMAN – USA: $115,000
Texas A&M University, as the most expensive license plate in the state, pays homage to the passionate fanbase of the Texas A&M University football team. The vanity plate was purchased by Houston-based attorney Tony Buzbee, an alumni of Texas A&M, in the year 2013. This information is from an article titled “10 Outrageously Expensive License Plates That Cost More Than a Luxury Car” published on the Wealth Gang website.
