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 11:44:10 PM by Bill Ung

I picked up at least one serial number from a Chicaco Coin "Sky Rider" pin. The serial number was located on a small square piece of white cardboard with miscellaneous game or copyright/patent information, located in one of the corners of the playfield, under the topglass. The serial number of this pin was: 3172.
Posted 10/23/2008 9:05:09 PM by Arm Binger
All CDI-Machines, at least from 1966 and upwards, have their number stamped in wood on the front,at the left side beneath the coin-door, and also on the left side of the head. (4 numbers)
Posted 5/3/2009 10:55:46 PM by King of Pinball
Serial Numbers for the 1947 Gold Ball appear on the lower left of the playfield stamped into the wood (where the instruction card is mounted on most pinballs.) In addition, it is stamped into the wood on the front of the machine, above and to the right of the coin door (on the outside of the machine, just below the holddown bar). They are usually 5 numbers, no letters.
Posted 1/17/2012 10:14:12 AM by bugman
S/N found on cardboard inside coin slide door
Posted 2/4/2012 10:55:21 PM by Charlie Hord
I found the serial # for a 1968 STAGE COACH in two places; On a certificate glued to the metal on the playfield in the upper left corner, and on a small piece of thin cardboard laying in the front right corner of the cabinet.
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