Technical: Serial Number Fonts
Scott Lange with help from Dave Hennessey
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Serial Number Fonts
The fonts used for serial numbers varied over time. In general, they were sans-serif fonts (the characters do not have the small projecting features called "serifs" at the end of strokes), except the ‘1’, which does have them. From 1952 to 1962, the characters stayed pretty much the same.
Sixes and Nines
- 1952 – 1962: the "back" (top of the six and bottom of the nine) was rounded.
- In 1963: a unique six: the back became straight, but tilted to the right at 45 degrees; the nine's straight back was vertical.
- 1964 – 1968: the sixes and nines had a straight vertical back.
- In 1969: the 6 and 9 were given an oval body.
Others
- The 1957 XLA had a left leaning ‘A’
- The ‘M’ in KRM and KHRM usually has a serif on the bottom right.
- The ‘2’, ‘3’, ‘4’, and ‘7 varied during the years.
- Only the ‘5’ and ‘8’ seem to have remained consistent from 1952 to 1969.
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Note the ‘1’ is missing the serif on its "foot", and the ‘K’ is slightly different
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The ‘R’ has a serif on bottom right, but you can't see it on this example.
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The ‘A’ is always leaning left.
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Look at that fat ‘H’. Seems suspect...
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The ‘7’ has a serif on the front.
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Leaning straight-backed ‘6’. Note the two different ‘3’'s.
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The ‘6’ and ‘9’ have straight "backs" Note the serif at the rear of the ‘2’. The ‘4’ is "closed" at the top.
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The ‘7’ has a serif at the top left.
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The ‘6’ and ‘9’ now have oval bodies instead of round.
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