Value of Smokebox NUmberplates

[TheEdge]

I've just come into possession of a smokebox numberplate and was wondering how to go about getting it valued.

I know the "standard" value of a normal BR smokebox plate seems to be around the £300-£500 mark but rare or famous ones seem to be well into 4 figures, even the odd one into 5.

Plate in question is 65483 which appears to be in original condition, my research leads me to believe it is off an LNER J5 (GNR J22) which is where I start thinking this plate may be worth more than a normal one. Firstly it is off a class of only 20 locos, all of which were withdrawn by 1955 and according to my research this also happens to be the last withdrawn of the class. I can also find no record on line of another J5 plate being sold so am wondering what the likelihood is of this being unique?

Where do I go to find out more?

 

[Bevan Price]

I've just come into possession of a smokebox numberplate and was wondering how to go about getting it valued.

I know the "standard" value of a normal BR smokebox plate seems to be around the £300-£500 mark but rare or famous ones seem to be well into 4 figures, even the odd one into 5.

Plate in question is 65483 which appears to be in original condition, my research leads me to believe it is off an LNER J5 (GNR J22) which is where I start thinking this plate may be worth more than a normal one. Firstly it is off a class of only 20 locos, all of which were withdrawn by 1955 and according to my research this also happens to be the last withdrawn of the class. I can also find no record on line of another J5 plate being sold so am wondering what the likelihood is of this being unique?

Where do I go to find out more?

If you are contemplating selling it, then one of the auction companies dealing with railway relics might suggest a likely value. I doubt that the value will differ much from plates from other 0-6-0 freight locos, unless you find someone who had a special affinity with that particular loco .