The Internet Pinball Serial Number Database or IPSND collects serial numbers of pinball machines and publishes a database of these on the Internet. Our goal is to make available a registration of all pinball machines in existence and allow tools for slicing, dicing and visualization of the data.
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Locating Serial Numbers on a Pinball Machine:

Finding serial numbers on a game can sometimes be quite challenging. They are commonly hidden, painted over, destroyed or just in non-obvious places. The main difficulty is that manufacturers put their serial numbers in a variety of places in and out of the game and then they often changed the location of the serial number as time went on. Several manufacturers used a consistent numbering system for many years and others changed their formats often. In addition, there are frequently numbers on a game that might not be the serial number at all, it could be a part number, an inspector number or something that has no connection to the actual serial number at all.

This page is a reference on how to locate serial numbers for all manufacturers in the database. The nice part is that you can add your own tips and suggestions for other people to read as well. I have added initial comments on the information that I have from Bill Ung out of the original Internet Pinball Project (now defunct). Feel free to submit new information on serial number locations specific to each manufacturer and appropriate time period.



(Please do not post serial numbers here, please use the Search Page, to find your specific game)
Posted 1/11/2007 11:54:45 PM by Bill Ung

Newer Williams and Williams/Bally games have cute little stickers everywhere. This began with System 9 games (as far as I know) and include game ID number information, as well as the serial number. There are two styles:

  • The blue/grey and white stickers ran through the Hurricane era. These include the official game ID number (ie: 541 or 50018), separated from the actual serial number by a few spaces. Early games, till about the end of 1986, had five-digit serial numbers. Since then, serial number have always been six digits.
  • The white stickers include encoded game ID numbers. Well, the ID numbers aren't identical to the one you'll find in the ROM, but it DOES match the game ID number listed on the back of the machine. The number may change based on country. This is an item still being debated somewhat.

Overall, you'll find these stickers on the fronts of the cabinets, on top of the head, on the back of the cabinet (along with an encoded manufacturing date), insi

Posted 4/28/2008 2:40:04 PM by Jim West
Pinball2000 machines have two parts each with their own serial number. The base serial number is for the playfield cabinet. This serial number is for the top unit of the pinball.
Posted 12/20/2008 10:07:35 PM by MARK SPENCER
OPEN COIN DOOR, LOOK TO RIGHT , MFG STICKER SHOULD BE ON SIDE.
Posted 2/23/2009 9:24:15 PM by Richard Harvey
Game Date Stamp for BK2K under backbox with head down.
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