We've sold some pretty high-value pieces of metal at CARBIDS over the years. Actual cars, yes, but also the government-required piece of metal affixed to them.

We're talking number plates. Exactly a year ago, in November 2025, one fetched $181,000 in our special monthly Number Plate Auction.

But our latest auction includes a two-digit ACT plate, '35', with something else particularly special about it.

It's been in the same Canberra family since 1927, back when the capital was mostly paddocks and driving to Sydney involved stopping to open farm gates (yes, literally).

For the last few years, it's been attached to a hail-damaged Nissan X-Trail as easily the most valuable thing on it.

But now, after 99 years, the family is saying a sad farewell to '35'.

ACT '35' - a lot of history in two digits.

What's the story?

In 1927, Bernard Vant moved to Canberra from Sydney, along with his wife Alice and their son Clifford, to join the capital's early parks and gardens workforce, helping plant trees around the developing city.

On 1 July, Bernard became one of only a handful of people in the then called 'Federal Capital Territory" to be issued a driver's licence - number 35, in fact.

So, when he registered a car, he decided he'd quite like the same number on that too.

"There were probably only 35 people driving back then – everyone would have known everyone," recalls Bernard's grandson, Warren Vant.

"He probably could have even got a lower-digit number."

Bernard Vant's driver licence, issued 1 July, 1927. Photo: Warren Vant.

Cars were so few and far between, Warren remembers stories about his grandparents having to open and close farm gates while driving between Canberra and Sydney.

Over the decades, '35' appeared on an FB Holden, HG Holden and Mitsubishi Magna, before eventually finding its way onto Warren's slightly weather-beaten X-Trail.

"I tell people when they're sitting in it, you're in an $180-odd-thousand car here," Warren says.

And he might not be far off.

Time to say goodbye: Warren Vant removing '35' from his X-Trail.

Why would any?one pay $181,000 for a number plate??

In November 2025, we sold ACT plate '54' for $181,000, setting a new ACT number plate auction record.

Other notable results include single-letter 'X' ($147,200 in 2022), 'V' ($87,600 in 2023) and three-digit '125' ($86,100 in 2023).

Not bad for something that doesn't have an engine, wheels or even Bluetooth.

ACT's original sequential number plate series began in February 1927. There are just 90 two-digit combinations, from 10 to 99, all now privately held. And generally, the lower the number, the higher the price.

"Eights always seem to do a little bit better than any other number. Fours do a little bit worse," explains ALLBIDS Group CEO Ben Hastings.

The plate itself has been re-minted a couple of times over the years (the original read 'FCT' at the top).

Buyers range from collectors to investors and those who simply appreciate the prestige.

"It's partially a status symbol and it's partially the heritage," Ben says.

"A lot of people are doing it as an investment as well."

Plate 'X' went to a Melbourne investor, while '125' stayed in Canberra before being sold again later.

Other plates, Ben says, "just disappear into the abyss", rarely appearing on cars. But no doubt, racking up value somewhere.

Why it's the end of an era now

What makes '35' particularly interesting is its documented family history.

The plate itself has been re-minted at least twice since 1927, and now sports the ACT's colours of blue and white. 

The family still has Bernard's original 1927 driver's licence and a historic photograph showing the plate on an early Morris, complete with the old 'FCT' lettering.

But Warren's mother has passed away, and the plate forms part of the family estate. His brother no longer lives in Canberra, and Warren has three sons.

A bit slimmer than the usual ACT plate.

"I've got three sons. How am I going to split it between them?" he says.

"It's quite sad. Mum's gone, and that plate was important to her."

Not everyone appreciated having such a recognisable registration, mind you. One of Warren's sons once borrowed a car wearing '35' and asked whether he could remove it.

"He didn't like being so easily identified."

Fair enough. There's not much anonymity in driving around Canberra with one of its earliest number plates.

ACT number plate '35' is online now in our November Number Plate Auction, closing Wednesday, 4 November. The buyer's premium has been reduced to 5.25%, down from the usual 12.75%.