In a stunning display of collector passion, a set of rare ACT licence plates has sold for an astonishing $181,000 at auction, setting a new benchmark for Canberra motoring memorabilia.
The Record-Breaking Sale
The double-digit ACT 54 plates, described as a unique piece of Canberra's history by auction house ALLBIDS, attracted fierce bidding competition before finally being secured by a local buyer. The online auction commenced on October 30, 2025, with a starting price of just $1, but quickly escalated as collectors recognised the rarity of the opportunity.
Within the first 24 hours, bidding had already reached $30,050, demonstrating the intense interest in these heritage plates. The auction culminated on November 12 after thirteen days of competitive bidding, with the successful bidder operating under the name Mole ultimately claiming the prize.
A Piece of Canberra History
What makes these plates particularly valuable is their provenance. The ACT 54 plates had been in the same Canberra family for four generations, making them one of the few heritage two-digit ACT plates to ever reach the open market.
The plates originally adorned a red 1968 Ford F350 ute owned by the late Peter Keir, a Sutton-based horse dealer. This wasn't the first time the plates had generated excitement at auction - they previously sold for $210,000 in April 2024 when Mr Keir's extensive collection of historic vehicles and carriages went under the hammer.
Ben Hastings, CEO of ALLBIDS, emphasised the significance of the sale: "These plates have significant heritage and often stories behind them, with many passed on through the same family for generations. The buyer was also a local Canberran, so this one is thankfully staying local."
Why Low-Digit Plates Command Premium Prices
The extraordinary sale price reflects the growing market for low-digit registration plates, particularly in the ACT where only 90 double-digit numerical plates are available. Plate enthusiast Shane Richards from Hume explained the appeal: "There is a fair upsurge in people buying numeric plates. Lower the number, higher the price."
Jim Gordon, a geologist and passionate plate collector with over 5,000 Australian plates in his collection, provided expert insight into the market. Despite the record price, he admitted: "My expectation for the '54' was a bit higher. I thought it would cross the $200,000 mark."
Mr Gordon noted that these highly desirable plates rarely change hands and appeal to both historic car owners and investors: "Very low numbers like this have not only heritage value going back almost 100 years to the first issues of FCT-ACT plates in 1927, but they also appeal to historic car owners. The buyers are often investors who spend on plates hoping to resell them later for top dollar."
The sale of ACT 54 plates has now surpassed the previous record held by ACT 125, which sold for $84,000 in late 2024, demonstrating the increasing value collectors place on these rare pieces of Australian motoring history.
