Every civilisation has ways to demonstrate wealth . In the U.S. , it might be sauntering around with designer handbags or apparel . Or maybe a racing yacht . In the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) , it can be something as simple alicense plate — albeit one that be millions .
fit in toBloomberg , an unidentified mortal gain a toilet table plate , P7 , for 55 million dirhams , or $ 15 million , at a Dubai auction in April . Itexceedsthe quondam record of 52.2 million dirham ( $ 14.3 million ) paid for a 1 license plate in Abu Dhabi in 2008 . Another impost plate , emblazoned with D5 , sell in 2016 for 33 million dirham . ( As the plates usually lay out the letter off to one side , the numbers seem to be standalone . )
In the UAE , plate with lowly or single - digit number are considered a signifier of wealthiness and have a cultural seal of approval to them . Balvinder Singh Sahni , who bought D5 , told Bloomberg that Dubai “ is a city of gold … everybody wants to show their status . ”
Sahni got a taste of that status in 2006 , when he was n’t permitted to enter a high - final stage hotel owing to his multi - digit license plate , He was fundamentally plate - shamed .
Typically , license plate auction sale defer the substantial return to charity . For P7 , the tender will help fund Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum ’s 1 Billion Meals Endowment . Itbenefitsbuyers , too : plate are typically conveyable and have for life . If the owner choose to sell , the plates often prize over time .
In the U.S. , vanity license plate can be requested through the Department of Motor Vehicles . Some state , like Texas , offerplate auctionsfor seek - after words or phrases . In many country , though , no auction sale will nett youplates with banish lettering . In Arizona , for example , DAPOOP and MCBOOB are prohibit . Then again , $ 15 million might alter some minds .
[ h / tBloomberg ]
