Today I read in the local paper that in Ticino Switzerland someone paid about $35,000 for a license plate numbered 888.888. This begs the question, WHY? 

This plate was purchased during an auction of so called "coveted" numbered plates during which 47 were sold for a total of about $767,000. Again I ask WHY?

What's the most ever paid for a vanity plate? Watch for the shocking answer! Photo credit: 

Definition of Vanity!

Hmmm that doesn't sound like a very nice quality! Source: Google Dictionary

How is "Vanity Plate" Defined?

Source: www.merriam-webster.com

What is The Most Ever Paid For A Vanity Plate?

According to the site therichest.com in 2008 Saeed Ghafour Khouri paid the equivalent of a staggering $14.3 million for the licence plate "1". See opening photo.

The Top 3 Most Expensive Vanity Plates in History

• 3. Dubai property owner Balwinder Sahni paid $9 million for a plate that has the number 5!
• 2. John Collins the owner of a company called Talacrest spent $813,622 for the plate 25 0 to put on his Ferrari 250 SWB
• 1. $14.3 million for the plate purchased by Saeed Ghafour Khouri 

Did You Know?

• The money raised from the auction that sold the world's most expensive plate went to charity!
• Vanity plates can be a good investment as their value often keeps increasing over time!
• In 2013 UK's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency raised more than 88 million dollars selling personalized plates.

So, Are Vanity Plate Owners Really Vain?

I guess that it depends on your point of view. To those that buy them they are  just a personal statement or even an investment. To most people though they are a pretentious waste of money!

When I lived in Ontario, Canada there were many personalized plates and I used to have fun trying to figure out what they said. For example KNOTTIE, WHYFOR, TEDEBEAR, GAZGZLR, NOT 4U or NICE 2 CU. The cost to convert a regular plate in Ontario to a personalized one is $310 Canadian Dollars ( $242 US). Perhaps at those more modest prices it's just good clean fun or even advertising!

What do You Think?

• Would you spend extra money to have a personalized or vanity plate?
• If Yes, up to how much would you spend?
• Were you shocked by the price of some of the plates?
• Are vanity plate owners really vain?

I hope that you enjoyed this article about Vanity Plates!

Until next time,

@kus-knee (The Old Dog)