HERITAGE NUMBER PLATES

Lawsons’ recent offering of NSW Heritage Numeric Only Number Plates and a Limited Edition Euro Plate on 28 May 2025 was an outstanding success, with 100% of lots sold.

Strong interest and competitive bidding drove impressive results across the board with 50% of lots sold exceeding their high estimate, underscoring the strength of the heritage plates market.

Lawsons Auctioneers successfully offered a boutique collection of four highly desirable NSW Heritage Numeric Only Number Plates. The tightly curated group realised a total of $1,058,875*, with standout results including ‘335’ at $354,750* and ‘359’ at $322,500*.

This private collection, carefully held and rarely seen on the open market, was met with strong demand, confirming that appetite remains high for well-numbered, historic plates.

*Prices include buyer’s premium.

The limited edition Euro-style number plate ‘N6’ achieved $274,125 (incl. buyer’s premium), sitting comfortably within its $250,000–$350,000 estimate.

The result reflected growing interest in contemporary number plate formats, particularly those with single-digit prestige and scarcity.

Also held on April 16, 2025, this sale presented six distinctive NSW Heritage Numeric Only plates, achieving a combined total of $881,500*. Highlights included ‘360’ which exceeded expectations at $311,750*, and both ‘1886’ and ‘2880’ which secured solid results.

The sale reaffirmed ongoing collector confidence in numeric-only heritage plates, especially well-rounded or historically resonant numbers.

*Prices include buyer’s premium.

Lawsons Auctioneers presented the esteemed collection of the late Laurie O’Neil, featuring five exceptional NSW Heritage Numeric Number Plates. The auction achieved a remarkable total of $4,053,375, highlighted by the sale of plate ’12’ for $2,500,000, the highest price ever realised for a two-digit plate in Australia. Other notable results included ‘567’ at $435,375*, ‘838’ at $430,000*, ‘275’ at $360,125, and ‘315’ at $327,875*.

This landmark auction not only set a new benchmark in the heritage plate market but also honoured the enduring legacy of a passionate collector whose dedication spanned over six decades.

*Prices include buyer’s premium.

Lawsons Auctioneers, under the directive of Transport for NSW, presented a curated selection of 30 NSW Heritage Numeric Number Plates. The auction achieved a total of $5,568,500*, with standout results including:

Plate ‘344’: Sold for $333,250*
Plate ‘9898’: Achieved $327,875*
Plate ‘628’: Fetched $306,375*
Plate ‘665’: Realised $301,000*
Plate ‘483’: Sold for $301,000*

This auction underscored the enduring appeal of heritage number plates, with collectors showing robust interest in both symmetrical and historically significant numbers.

*Prices include buyer’s premium.

Lawsons Auctioneers presented the NSW Historic Numeric Number Plate ’45’ for auction. The plate achieved a sale price of $1,128,000 (incl. buyer’s premium).

As one of the earliest registration numbers in the state, the sale of ‘45’ reflects the market’s continued recognition of early numeric plates as culturally and historically significant assets.

Lawsons Auctioneers presented a select collection of four NSW Historic Numeric Only Number Plates. The auction achieved a total of $521,375*, with notable results including:

Plate ‘599’: Sold for $397,750*, exceeding its estimated range of $350,000–$380,000.

This focused offering highlighted the enduring appeal of historic numeric plates, with collectors showing strong interest in low-digit and historically significant numbers.

*Prices include buyer’s premium.

Lawsons Auctioneers presented a private collection featuring two NSW Historic Numeric Only Number Plates. The auction achieved a total of $419,250*, with the following results:

Plate ‘1200’: Sold for $193,500*, within its estimated range of $180,000–$220,000.
Plate ‘6006’: Achieved $225,750*, exceeding its estimate of $170,000–$210,000.

*Prices include buyer’s premium.

For the first time in nearly 20 years, Transport for NSW offered a limited release of exclusive Euro Numeral Plates through Lawsons Auctioneers. These plates featured a premium, new design that was not available for general sale.

Thirty never-before-released plates, each a unique collector’s item featuring only 2–4 numerals, were put up for auction.

Lawsons Auctioneers presented the NSW Historic Numeric Number Plate ‘879’ for auction. The plate achieved a sale price of $268,750 (incl. buyer’s premium), within its estimated range of $240,000–$280,000.

Originally issued circa 1915 to Mr. Edward J. Willmann of Croydon Park for a 20hp Ford, ‘879’ exemplifies the enduring appeal of early 3-digit plates among collectors.

NSW numeric-only number plate ’70’ sold by online auction for $1,698,500 (including buyer’s premium). The historic plate had been held by one prominent Sydney family since circa 1920. Thank you to all who participated in the 19 September 2024 auction.

The historic plate 26313 sold by online auction for $82,775 (including buyer’s premium). NSW Numeric Number Plate ‘26313’ – One Family Ownership. Originally issued on a 1918 T model Ford and handed down through the family to the current owner (grandson), who assigned them to his 1949 Rover.

NSW Numeric Number Plate ‘488’ Sold 23 July 2024 for $335,400 (including buyer’s premium).

Lawsons Auctioneers were once again entrusted by Transport for NSW to offer a limited release of 15 historic number plates at public auction.

Thank you to all who participated in the June 2024 Auction of Classic Number Plates.

Lawsons Auctioneers were entrusted by Transport for NSW to sell, by public auction, a limited release of 15 historic number plates.

Thank you to all who participated in the April 2024 Auction of Classic Number Plates.