Understanding the patterns that make heritage plates collectible
Enter a plate number to see what patterns are detected
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PlateIndex recognizes 8 distinct pattern types that drive collector value. Each pattern has different rarity and market appeal.
The rarest category. Single digits can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Highly sought after for their symmetry. 3-digit palindromes like 121 are especially valuable.
Popular with collectors who appreciate mathematical patterns and orderly progressions.
Extremely valuable in markets with Chinese buyer interest. Triple 8s command premium prices.
Eye-catching repetition makes these plates memorable and desirable.
Common but still collectible, especially when combined with other patterns.
Creates visual symmetry at the edges. More valuable with meaningful middle numbers.
Only possible with rotationally symmetric digits (0, 1, 8). Unique visual appeal.
Beyond patterns, several factors influence the market value of heritage plates.
Fewer digits generally mean higher value. Single-digit plates are the most valuable, followed by 2-digit, then 3-digit.
Plates with multiple patterns are exponentially more valuable than single-pattern plates.
Some numbers carry cultural weight that transcends pattern recognition.
The history of a plate can add significant value beyond its number.
Search our database of verified auction results to find accurate market data for any Victorian heritage plate.