UAE No. '1' License Plate Sets World Record - $14 Million Goes To Charity (GALLERY)

I think its a good strategy by the Emarati government to auction exclusive vanity plates to ridiculously wealthy people and use the money for a good cause. The plates cost the government nothing, and the money would go to another vain luxury otherwise. In the latest charity auction in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, a vanity license plate with nothing but the number “1” on it went for a record $14 million. Proceeds from the auctions go to a rehabilitation center for victims of traffic accidents.

“I bought it because it’s the best number,” said Saeed Khouri, whose family made its fortune in real estate. “I bought it because I want to be the best in the world.”

Ordinary automobile license plates issued to drivers here — and even most other vanity series plates — carry both Arabic and Western numerals and script, defining the issuing city and country. Khouri’s plate, however, has only the Western numeral and no letters.