SwagVault MMO Blog

Lotro Guide: Aome Production Patterns

In continuing quest for elusive action figures production numbers I have been collecting lot numbers stamped into boxes. As a refresher, these are date codes using the ‘Julian’ calender. The first three numbers are the day (001 = 1 Jan up to 365 = 31 Dec) and the last two are the year (03 = 2003). There are also prefixes (AX or KY) but I don’t know what they mean.

Control Number ?

This is an exclusive set (with invisable Frodo) that was one of the few with published production number, which was 5000. I have been trying to use it as a control to measure other sets against, but there are too many unknowns to be useful yet, except in most general way. And there are also irregularities here that puts even the stated quantity of 5000 in some doubt. Particularly that fairly late 18804 issue (approx. early July 2004).

Twilight Ambush——–14503–15203——————————-18804

(Versions seen are: 1) ‘Convention exclusive’ with metallic sticker. 2) PGM games exclusive with yellow/black sticker, available in England, possibly elsewhere. 3) In package without any sticker.)

Wave 1 (3-packs) – Incomplete numbers

Weathertop—–_____–_____–15203–17203–18403–19103–_____–_____
Rohan Soldiers–_____–14503–15203–17203–_____–19103–_____–_____
Moria Orcs——_____–14503–15203–17203–_____–_____–23803–24503
Ringwraiths—–12503–14503–15203–17203–_____–_____–_____–_____

One thing to note is I certainly do not have all the lot numbers used yet. My total sample of all sets together is only about 600. Some of these blanks will be filled and finding new ones probable. I can say in all 7 waves so far the average number of lot numbers for 3-packs is between 3-6. I expect it could rise, to 8 possibly, but doubt more than that.

Wags & Guesswork

It was tempting with two dates for twilight Frodo to assume a lot number meant about 2500 units packed and shipped each day. But it is not clear at all that is the case. I have seen a series of photos from one of the factories that made these showing the various stages & it seemed they went from making the figures to packaging in the same production run (day?). I also have seen some studies that place a factories daily output (of standard 6″ action figures) at 2500-5000 a day. But note multiple different sets with same lot numbers. Did they make 1000 of each ?, etc, etc. The maximum number of different sets with same lot number is about 10, with 6-8 more usual. These factories are also notorious for running (mandatory) overtime and both weekend days, so larger then average production outputs are not impossible.

My best guess so far is fairly lame, but I put Wave 1 3-pack standard production at about 10,000-20,000 each set. Btw, Wave 2-6 are looking similiar and Wave 7 may be less but not be too far off.

When looking at numbers for any particular figure other factors have to be added in. For instance the later reissues and collection sets, and don’t forget 12 specific poses that are in 6000+ pinball games!