The plate's value was driven by its unique, symmetrical appearance featuring the auspicious number 8. (Image: Ref)
In a stunning display of the value placed on a unique identity, a vehicle registration plate from Haryana has shattered records. The number ‘HR88B8888’ sold for an incredible Rs 1.17 crore in an online auction, marking it as India’s most expensive car number plate ever. The sale has pushed this simple plate into the spotlight, showing how people are competing fiercely for elite numbers.
The auction was conducted by the Haryana transport department on its official portal for fancy registration numbers. It began on a Friday evening with a modest base price of just Rs 50,000. The number drew huge attention, with 45 bids from eager buyers. By Monday noon, the price had jumped dramatically to Rs 88 lakh. The bidding continued fiercely, finally concluding on Wednesday with the record-smashing winning bid of Rs 1.17 crore.
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‘HR88B8888’ is attractive because of its visual symmetry and the luck tied to 8. With the ‘B’ resembling 8, the plate shows a seamless string of eights, considered lucky and linked to prosperity. The winning bidder couldn’t resist, paying a fortune for this mark of status and fortune.
This sale has completely overshadowed previous auctions. To put this in context, just a week earlier, another Haryana plate, ‘HR22W2222’, sold for Rs 37.91 lakh. The new record is over three times that amount, showing the rising competition for these exclusive plates. It sets a fresh benchmark for fancy vehicle numbers in India.
The purchase of high-value license plates is becoming a notable way for India's wealthy to showcase their status. In a similar instance earlier this year, tech billionaire Venu Gopalakrishnan purchased the registration 'KL 07 DG 0007' for his Lamborghini for Rs 45.99 lakh. That number was a clever nod to the fictional spy James Bond's code, '007'. These auctions reveal that for some, a car's identity is just as important as the car itself, turning a simple license plate into a ultimate personal accessory.
