The price of vanity cannot be quantified, but there was an indication of sorts when the auction of the coveted 0001 vehicle licence plate attracted a bid of Rs 23.4 lakh in March.
The amount could have bought two premium hatchbacks or a well-equipped SUV, but the desire to flaunt a status symbol seems to have overcome all economic considerations.

Data from Delhi govt’s transport department showed that 0001 received the astounding bid in March, the highest in all monthly auctions this year till June. The buyer’s details weren’t shared to protect the individual’s privacy. 0009 was second on the list, selling for Rs 11 lakh in June, while 0007 didn’t do too badly, fetching Rs 10.8 lakh in the Jan auction.

The Rs 23.4-lakh bid significantly surpassed the base price of Rs 5 lakh for the number, highlighting the immense value placed on this particular series of digits, perhaps because of its increasing rarity with the transport department claiming that it was often snatched up by politicians, ministers and top bureaucrats.

transport official explained that 0001 was the most sought after number in eauctions and among politicians. It was a status symbol that gave its owner indisputable bragging rights and a sense of being numero uno. In a similar way,

0007 too sees high bidding because it has become fashionable with its association with superspy James Bond and cricket icon Mahendra Singh Dhoni as well. The department secured Rs 5.1 lakh for 0002 in January auction.