Serial number

A Serial number plate

Brass makers plate with serial number

A serial number is a unique number assigned for identification which varies from its successor or predecessor by a fixed discrete integer value.

Ussage

Common usage has expanded the term to refer to any unique alphanumeric identifier for one of a large set of objects, however not every numerical identifier is a serial number; identifying numbers which are not serial numbers are sometimes called nominal numbers. In data processing and allied fields in computer science, the distinction between serial and nominal numbers is an important one.

Sequence numbers are almost always non-negative, and typically start at zero or one.

Additional information

Serial numbers can also contain additional information such as machine or engine types as a prefix or suffix.

Originally some manufactures numbered every machine in sequence regardless of model or type but as numbers produced grew each model often had its own number but often started with a non zero value so it is harder for competitos to no there sales figures.

See also

• Manufacturers plate
• Royalty plate
• Glossary Index