Quick answer: the record is “W” at HK$26 million (2021), then “R” at HK$25.5M (2023) and “H” at HK$20M (March 2026). The top numeric plates are “28” (HK$18.1M, 2016) and “18” (HK$16.5M, 2008).
Record sales
| Plate | Price (HK$) | Year | Why it's prized |
|---|---|---|---|
| W | 26,000,000 | 2021 | Single letter, visual symmetry |
| R | 25,500,000 | 2023 | Single letter |
| H | 20,000,000 | 2026 | Single letter, shape |
| 28 | 18,100,000 | 2016 | 易发 “easy prosperity” (Cantonese) |
| 18 | 16,500,000 | 2008 | 实发 “sure prosperity” (Cantonese) |
| S | 14,200,000 | 2025 | Single letter |
| 9 | 13,000,000 | 1994 | 久 longevity, imperial number |
| 8 | 5,000,000 | 1988 | 发 prosperity |
Sources: The Standard (H plate, 1 March 2026); Kwiksure plate records. Figures are hammer prices as reported.
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What drives the bids
- Sound: 8 (发), 18 and 28 read as prosperity in Cantonese.
- Scarcity: single characters and two-digit plates are finite.
- Status: a plate shows wealth more visibly than the car it's on.
- Charity: auction proceeds go to the Government Lotteries Fund, which adds prestige.
What this means for your number
Most plates and phone numbers aren't worth millions, but the same logic prices the whole market. A number with 8s, a clean pattern and no 4 sells faster and higher. Collector-tier strings (8888, AAAA) routinely fetch four to six figures across Asia.
Holding a pattern plate or golden phone number? Get a free valuation → or score it first.
FAQ
What is the most expensive license plate in Hong Kong?
“W”, sold for HK$26 million at the 2021 Chinese New Year auction.
Why is 28 so valuable?
In Cantonese, 2 sounds like 易 (easy) and 8 like 发 (prosper), so 28 reads as “easy prosperity.”