Whats With The Inscribed Number on Vinyl?

On every record theres a tiny inscribed number on the wax itself, right by the edge of the center label. Can anyone tell me what this number stands for?

stock number , lot of the pressing,label number,


some say it how you can tell if it's reissued or not but i'm kinda skeptical about that one.

Ede´s right.

Some of the numbers inscribed are for the cutter, plater and pressing plant to keep track on their lacquers and plates. Before the actual pressing and a label is added there is no other way to identify which record is which (unless you playback the mother plates). So to keep from pressing a Usher record with a NWA label they number the laquer after it´s cut.

The labels usually have the catalog number of the release inscribed.

Some cutters sign the run out grooves on the lacquer after cutting with their name or signature.

Some artists want to engrave messages in the run out grooves like "Copkiller", "Crunk is for mongoloids" or similar.

It´s always interesting to check the run out grooves before putting on an album, you never know what you might find.