Numbers engraved on system?

[mert]

I have a few Atari 2600 systems and atleast 2 that have numbers engraved on them. Can anyone tell what the numbers are for?

 

Thanks,

Mert.

Edited March 31, 2007 by mert

[A.J. Franzman]

Engraved where? What sort of numbers?

 

If you're referring to 3-digit numbers hot-stamped on the bottom near the serial number sticker, I believe these may be date codes of the form WWY (just like those sometimes seen stamped into cartridge end labels). "WW" is the week of the year, and "Y" is the last digit of the year, so for example "132" would be the 13th week of 1982 (about the beginning of April).

Edited April 1, 2007 by A.J. Franzman

[mert]

Engraved where? What sort of numbers?

 

If you're referring to 3-digit numbers hot-stamped on the bottom near the serial number sticker, I believe these may be date codes of the form WWY (just like those sometimes seen stamped into cartridge end labels). "WW" is the week of the year, and "Y" is the last digit of the year, so for example "132" would be the 13th week of 1982 (about the beginning of April).

 

Thanks for your response A.J. Here are pictures of the 2 systems. What are date codes used for?

One to the left is stamped 201 and the one on the right is stamped 381. Sorry about the poor picture quality.

There is no serial number stickers on either one. Only sticker on them is a red Atari Super Service.

 

[krypton85]

I think the first two numbers are the week of the year, and the last number is the year.

So twentieth week of 81, and 38th week of 81. The same can be found on the end label of most black picture atari carts..

 

 

-Chris

[ewing92]

i was wondering what those numbers meant.....i take it they didn't do this pre-1980's? how would they go about doing 1979? or 1978? they can't do xx9 or xx8, cuz then people would think that it was 1989, or 1988 :L

[rbairos]

Old thread, but I have a heavy sixer with 449 on it. (late 1979 it would appear).

[5x7]

Great info...

Some carts have an R after the three digits, does it mean anything? Examples:

Yars-182 R

Centipede 123 R

Dig Dug 403 R

Joust 413 R

[Skwrl63]

I have a 4 switch Woody..... Sunnyvale label with 202 engraved on it.

 

I also have a Sunnyvale light sixer with 169

[Skwrl63]

Here is another 4 Switch Woody that is a Sunnyvale model. It seems that all the Sunnyvale 4 switch models have the hot stamp on them as well.