History

In 1909, the Victorian Parliament passed the Motor Car Act — a landmark piece of legislation that laid the foundation for modern motoring in the state. For the first time, driver licensing and vehicle registration became mandatory, introducing a new era of regulation, accountability, and public safety on the roads. This pivotal moment marked more than just administrative reform; it signified society’s embrace of the automobile as a transformative force. Crucially, the Act also paved the way for the introduction of number plates, setting in motion a legacy that would evolve into one of Victoria’s most iconic and prestigious symbols: the Heritage plate.

In 1910, Victoria introduced formal vehicle registration, marking a significant milestone in the state’s motoring history. The earliest number plates were strikingly simple — white numerals on a black background, without a “VIC” prefix or any decorative features. Despite their understated design, these plates quickly became powerful symbols of status and exclusivity.

Plate ‘1’, the most coveted of them all, was never publicly issued — not due to mystery, but because of a high-level standoff between two of the state’s most senior figures. Both the Police Commissioner and the Governor of Victoria laid claim to the plate, and when neither would yield, it was ultimately locked away, setting the tone for the exclusivity that would define Heritage plates for generations to come.

Plates ‘2’ to ‘6’ were allocated to senior government officials, reinforcing their association with power and influence. Meanwhile, the first plates issued to private citizens — ‘7’, ‘8’, and ‘9’ — went to residents of Toorak, Victoria’s most prestigious suburb. From the outset, heritage plates were far more than functional; they were emblems of privilege and prominence, a tradition that continues to this day.

As vehicle ownership surged throughout the 1920s, Victoria experienced a dramatic rise in registrations, surpassing 200,000 vehicles by the early 1930s. This rapid growth reflected the increasing accessibility of motor vehicles and the expanding role of the car in everyday life — from private leisure to commercial transport.

With more cars on the road and a growing number of motorists travelling between states, the need for clearer identification became evident. To address this, Victoria formally introduced the state abbreviation “VIC” on the left-hand side of its number plates. This addition not only distinguished Victorian vehicles from those registered elsewhere in Australia but also brought a new level of standardisation and sophistication to plate design. The inclusion of “VIC” marked a pivotal evolution in the visual identity of Victorian plates — one that balanced functionality with a sense of place, reinforcing the plates’ role not just as registration tools but as proud emblems of origin.

By 1939, Victoria had issued plate numbers up to 285,000 — a remarkable figure that reflected the explosive growth of motor vehicle ownership across the state. This expansion placed increasing pressure on the purely numeric plate system, prompting authorities to introduce a more scalable solution: the alphanumeric format. Under this new structure, combinations like ABC-123 replaced the traditional numbers, allowing for vastly greater registration capacity to accommodate future growth.

However, the most significant decision came with what was left behind. The original all-numeric plates — from 1 to 285,000 — were officially frozen. They would never be reissued, withdrawn, or redesigned. Once allocated, they became permanent fixtures, tied to the vehicle and owner. This decision inadvertently created a rarefied category of number plates that could never again be replicated.

It was from this moment that Victoria’s heritage plates — simple black-and-white numeric combinations — began their transformation from administrative necessity to coveted collectible. Their rarity, exclusivity, and permanence were established in a single policy stroke, setting the stage for decades of appreciation in both value and cultural significance.

By the latter half of the 20th century, early numeric plates began to capture the attention of a growing community of motoring enthusiasts and collectors. No longer seen as mere registration markers, these low-numbered plates — some issued as far back as 1910 — came to be appreciated for what they truly were: tangible links to the earliest days of motoring in Victoria. Each plate carried with it a sense of history, prestige, and identity, reflecting not only the evolution of transport but also the changing face of wealth and status across generations.

This rising cultural and collectible value did not go unnoticed. Both the Transport Regulation Board (TRB) and its successor, the Road Traffic Authority (RTA), began to recognise the significance of these dormant plates — many of which had been unused or returned over the decades. What emerged was a novel concept: to re-release these plates, not as functional registrations for everyday vehicles, but as heritage assets — collectible items with intrinsic historic and investment value.

Discussions commenced around the controlled release of unused or surrendered numbers back into the market, with careful attention to maintaining the integrity and exclusivity of the original numeric series. This marked a turning point — the transition of Victorian number plates from administrative tools to prized collector’s items was now formally acknowledged by the authorities, laying the groundwork for the Heritage plate market we know today.

In 1984, the Road Traffic Authority (RTA) staged a landmark moment in Victoria’s motoring history: the inaugural Heritage Plate Auction. This highly anticipated event offered a curated selection of dormant plates from the original all-numeric series — plates that had once graced the roads in the early 20th century but had long since fallen out of use. To honour their historical significance, the plates were reissued in striking black enamel, designed to closely resemble the original hand-painted styles, imbuing each one with a sense of timeless authenticity.

At the heart of the auction was VIC 1 — the most iconic and coveted number of them all. Long withheld from public release due to a standoff between state officials decades earlier, its debut on the auction block was a cultural sensation. VIC 1 ultimately sold for $165,000 — more than double the median house price in Melbourne at the time — signalling a dramatic shift in the perceived value of Heritage plates. VIC 9, one of the earliest plates issued to a private citizen, fetched $31,000. In total, the auction raised over $1 million, with proceeds directed toward road safety initiatives, linking the past to a public good in the present.

This watershed event did more than just break records — it ignited a vibrant new collector culture. For the first time, number plates were formally recognised not only as historical artefacts, but as appreciating financial assets. The auction validated what early enthusiasts had long believed: that Heritage plates were unique expressions of status, identity, and investment potential. A new era had begun — one where Victorian number plates would command both reverence and remarkable value.

Image courtesy of @heritageplatehistory

With the Heritage plate market now officially open and legitimised, interest surged — and the most coveted plates began changing hands, not just as novelties, but as prized assets. Heritage plates, especially those with low and iconic numbers, quickly found their way into the collections of prominent individuals, influential families, and notable institutions. These transfers were not merely transactions; they were milestones, each one adding a new chapter to the unfolding story of Victoria’s most distinguished plates.

The most famous of them all, VIC 1, became a symbol of this new era. Originally acquired at the inaugural auction by Melbourne mechanic Garry Price, the plate quickly ascended the ranks of ownership. It passed to luxury car dealer Izzy Herzog, then to property developer and businessman John Avram, before ultimately being acquired by Carlton & United Breweries — one of Australia’s most iconic corporations. Each transfer elevated the plate’s mystique and reinforced its reputation as a cultural icon, more akin to an heirloom than a vehicle accessory.

This pattern repeated across the market. Plates once issued in the 1910s were now being passed down through generations, gifted as wedding presents, or displayed proudly on prized vehicles — Rolls-Royces, Ferraris, Bentleys — where they served as subtle yet unmistakable signals of legacy and affluence. Heritage plates had evolved into more than collectors’ items; they were now generational emblems of success, prestige, and permanence in a world of passing trends.

The sale of VIC 47 for an astonishing $322,000 marked a defining moment in the evolution of Victoria’s Heritage plate market. At the time, this record-breaking result set a new high watermark for numeric plates outside the coveted single-digit range, signalling a dramatic shift in how these plates were being perceived — not just as historical novelties, but as serious financial assets.

What made this sale particularly significant was the number itself: 47, while low, was not among the most iconic digits. Yet its six-figure result reflected a deepening understanding among collectors and investors alike — that rarity, provenance, and prestige were driving exponential growth in the value of all Heritage plates, not just those in single digits.

This moment was also a bellwether for what was to come. It demonstrated that demand was broadening, with buyers increasingly willing to pay a premium for plates that combined historical appeal with long-term investment value. The sale of VIC 47 wasn’t just a transaction — it was a signal to the market: Heritage plates were no longer niche curiosities. They had entered the realm of blue-chip collectibles, with the potential to rival fine art, classic cars, and luxury timepieces in both status and financial return.

VIC 21’s half-million-dollar result wasn’t just a one-off success; it was emblematic of a new tier of desirability. Collectors and investors recognised that low two-digit plates offered the perfect intersection of rarity, prestige, and accessibility compared to their single-digit counterparts, which had largely moved beyond reach. As demand intensified, these plates began to consistently outperform traditional asset classes such as real estate, equities, and even classic cars — not only in capital appreciation but also in their ability to signal status in a uniquely public and personal way.

What made the VIC 21 sale particularly noteworthy was its ripple effect across the market. It reaffirmed that Heritage plates had matured into a sophisticated asset category — one driven not by speculation, but by legacy, provenance, and enduring scarcity. For many, VIC 21 became a symbol of the modern Heritage plate movement: highly coveted, rarely traded, and increasingly viewed as a generational store of wealth.

In a defining moment for Victoria’s Heritage plate community, VicRoads formally appointed Heritage Only as an approved auction panel member — a rare and prestigious endorsement that positioned the company at the forefront of the state’s most exclusive collector market. This milestone was more than just a business appointment; it was a vote of confidence in Heritage Only’s deep understanding of the cultural and historical significance that surrounds Victoria’s original number plates.

With this recognition, Heritage Only joins an elite circle entrusted with the responsibility of stewarding the next chapter of these rare assets. The appointment underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to preserving Victoria’s motoring legacy, while offering an elevated and secure environment for collectors, enthusiasts, and investors alike. Through meticulously curated live auctions, Heritage Only provides a trusted platform where the rarest plates — once issued in the early 20th century — can be exchanged with the respect, transparency, and sophistication they deserve.

As the community grows and interest continues to rise, Heritage Only stands as a leading authority — not just in sales, but in storytelling, preservation, and elevating the legacy of Victorian Heritage plates for future generations.

In 2024, VIC 24 sold at auction for an extraordinary $1.82 million, cementing its place as one of the most significant Heritage plate sales to date. This result highlights the deep demand and prestige surrounding low-digit plates, which have become coveted symbols of status and legacy among elite collectors. Seven-figure sales are no longer rare outliers — they are now the benchmark in this tightly held, high-performing market.

Now firmly established as one of Australia’s rarest and most prestigious collectibles, Victorian Heritage plates are more than just registration numbers — they are history you can own. Coveted for their simplicity, scarcity, and striking black-and-white design, these plates have come to symbolise far more than motoring. They represent legacy, identity, and a deep connection to the earliest chapters of Victoria’s automotive story.

What makes Heritage plates truly unique is their permanence. With only 285,000 ever issued — and no more to come — they form a fixed and finite series. Each plate carries with it a story: of who owned it, where it’s been, and how it’s been passed down. Whether displayed on a rare classic car or held as a generational asset, these plates command admiration and respect, serving as discreet but powerful emblems of success and heritage.

At Heritage Only, we are proud to play a leading role in preserving this legacy. Through our curated auctions and collector services, we help ensure that these historic plates continue to be appreciated, protected, and passed on to the next generation of custodians.