One of Australia’s most desirable number plates has just set a new auction record after selling for over $12 million.
The New South Wales Heritage Plate that simply reads “1” went under the hammer for $AU11,505,000 ($NZ12,392,783), making it the most expensive plate in Australia.
Auctioneer Lloyds states that the plate has been in the possession of the same family for several decades, while this is the first time it has been offered publically.
‘NSW 1’ was first issued to the Australian state’s first police commissioner before being acquired by the founding chairman of Australian National Airways, Sir Frederick Stewart, in the 1930s.
Stewart proudly drove around with the plate on his Oldsmobile until his passing in 1961 which is when it was given to his widow, Lady Stewart. She supposedly declined an offer of $200k for the plate in the 1980s and many thought it would be sold following her passing in 2000. But alas, it remained with the family until today.
Upon its sale, ‘NSW 1’ eclipsed the previous auction record of $AU2.45 million ($NZ2.64 million) that was paid for ‘NSW 4’ in 2017, reports Drive.
With that being said, we wouldn’t be surprised if the plate is worth more than the next car it’s affixed to.
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