Shannons Delivers Investment Opportunities - on a Plate

SYDNEY – October 8, 2009: An historic New South Wales black and white number plate first issued nearly 100 years ago will be one of the most sought-after lots at Monday’s Shannons Sydney Spring Classic Vehicle Auction.

The Heritage plate ‘104’ was first assigned to Mr. John Paul of Wolseley Road, Point Piper, Sydney in 1911 – the year after number plates were first issued in NSW – and it originally adorned his sporting Talbot 20-25.

The plate is believed to be the numerically lowest 100-series Heritage plate to come to auction for 26 years.

The Great Australian Plate Auction staged at the Sydney Entertainment Centre in November 1983 saw the plates ‘103’ and ‘107’ sell for $11,000 and $14,500 respectively, however Shannons are estimating that ‘104’ will bring $135,000-$160,000 when it goes under the hammer at St.Leonards on Monday evening.

It is only likely to be trumped in value by one lot in Shannons’ sale – a fully-restored, award-winning 1969 Aston Martin DB6 Mk1 Coupe that is slated to sell in the $200,000-$225,000 range.

Three-digit NSW Heritage plates have remained in-demand investments in recent years, comfortably riding the financial roller-coaster.

In 2006, the plate ‘288’ was the top-priced lot of the record-setting $4.1 million number plate auction conducted by Shannons for NSW’s RTA, selling for $120,000.

In 2007, Shannons achieved $140,000 for the plate ‘228’ at another RTA plate sale, while ‘215’ made $115,000 at auction in Sydney in June this year.

“Heritage number plates have proven value,” said Shannons National Auction Manager, Christophe Boribon. “A low three-digit 100-series plate rarely comes to market and this plate has generated considerable interest amongst collectors and investors.”

The plate is one of six being auctioned by Shannons on Monday.

As a more affordable alternative for three-digit shoppers, the NSW Heritage plate ‘366’ is expected to sell in the $88,000-$100,000 range, while ‘11666’ is expected to bring $20,000-$30,000 and ‘843777’ is listed at $18,000-$24,000.

Another very desirable number plate for NSW enthusiasts is the Black Euro ‘lucky’ plate ‘N-888’ – one of a handful of Black Euro number-only plates offered at the RTA plate sale conducted by Shannons at Darling Harbour in 2006. The RTA has not released any other numeric Black Euro plates since, making it an exclusive collector item at its anticipated selling price of $15,000-$25,000.

Collectors will also have the opportunity to purchase the Queensland ‘Q’ plate ‘Q7888’, which is expected to make $5,000-$8,000.