surfnmadness Posted June 22, 2003 Share Posted June 22, 2003 Found this website today. http://www.netmodem.com/claddagh/stellasboneyard.htm I did a scan over the forum database, there was a few post about serial numbers earlier than the ones listed on some heavy six boxes so I know someone here has older ones. Lets check those boxes guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.FoodMonster Posted June 22, 2003 Share Posted June 22, 2003 wow, on looking for the s/n i relized that the sticker on the bottom has been ripped off =( so i guess its worth geting a new system with a buncha games on eBay. good thing i get payed tomarro =D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Atarius Maximus Posted June 23, 2003 Share Posted June 23, 2003 I submitted my S/N to him a long time ago, looks like I've got the 11th oldest sixer on the list! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NovaXpress Posted June 23, 2003 Share Posted June 23, 2003 Ive got 70447L. Looks like that would put me at 27th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christophero Sly Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 This topic routinely arises on the AA forums. The meaning of Atari serial numbers remains unclear. To date, I don't think a definitive answer to the question of what they mean has been provided on this forum. The best explanation I've read so far is: The serial number format differences you've identified was caused when Atari went outside for licensed production. I believe TRW was the first licensed production facility outside Sunnyvale. The original Atari Sunnyvale 1977-78 heavy sixers have the serial number letter suffix. Each letter represents 99,999 units. For example, S/N 25311J is the (99,999 *10) + 25,311 or 1,025,301 produced. This is a mid-production heavy sixer probably dating to spring 1978. I've seen A suffix Serial numbers but never a number without a letter. The latest I've seen is a S/N ending in 'U' which is very late production around 2million produced. Many of the 6-switch regular cases have serial numbers representing year of production. 80XXX, 81XXX or 82XXX. A woodgrain 4-switch will typically begin 82XXX or 83XXX, the 4-black 83XXX and 84XXX, representing year of production. Even the 2600Jr year or production can be determined by the Serial number 87XXX or 88XXX. As in life, there are exceptions... If this explanation is even remotely correct, then the list on Stella's Boneyard is completely inaccurate and does not represent an age-based rank order. Moreover, I've been unable to find any information regarding heavy-sixers that lack a letter suffix, such as mine with the #7621 or fire_Wil's #2176. If anyone has an accurate explanation of Atari serial #'s, please pipe-up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanglyman Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 I've been unable to find any information regarding heavy-sixers that lack a letter suffix, such as mine with the #7621 or fire_Wil's #2176. If anyone has an accurate explanation of Atari serial #'s, please pipe-up. If the number scheme you describe is accurate, it follows that they are likely pre A suffix, you guys probably have very early units btw mine is 45981F Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kratogen Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 I just revived my old heavy-sixer last week...S/N 20600G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhd Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 If this explanation is even remotely correct, then the list on Stella's Boneyard is completely inaccurate and does not represent an age-based rank order. It would be constructive to hear from people with their original 2600, who remember (or can document) when the console was originally purchased. If we have a reasonable sample of serial numbers with confirmed dates, we can then compare the data with the various theories. Alas, I sold by original 2600 (purchased May-June 1981) in 1983. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NovaXpress Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 It would be constructive to hear from people with their original 2600, who remember (or can document) when the console was originally purchased. If we have a reasonable sample of serial numbers with confirmed dates, we can then compare the data with the various theories. That would be the problem, most of us were kids. I can't remember exactly when I bought my Super Nintendo let alone my Ataris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GruBBworM Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 Mine is #086520 No letter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ehrbad Posted June 24, 2003 Share Posted June 24, 2003 It would be constructive to hear from people with their original 2600, who remember (or can document) when the console was originally purchased. If we have a reasonable sample of serial numbers with confirmed dates, we can then compare the data with the various theories. That would be the problem, most of us were kids. I can't remember exactly when I bought my Super Nintendo let alone my Ataris. Exactly. My first 6-switcher was bought for Christmas of '79....or was it '80? I can't remember if I ws 5 or 6 at the time. But here's the funny thing....the game packaged with the 2600 wasn't Pac-Man, it was Pong! I can almost certainly recall playing Pong that Christmas on my grandad's back and white TV. But Pong was never released as a solo cart, was it? And if not, what the heck was I playing? Just for background info, my 6-switcher is NOT of the heavy variety, was manufacutred by Atari-Wong Ltd. in Hong Kong, and has SN 568219614. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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