BOX CODE/DATE - WARRANTY SEAL POSSIBLE DISCREPANCY

[rmklaw]

First of all happy holidays!!! 

Is it possible to have a box of 2005 Trinidad Fundadores from a very reputable licensed Habanos S.A. dealer that has a code of IKR FEB 05, but has the warranty seal starting with FR which according to the coding in this site and others would be decoded as 2004?  Everything else (UV seal, micro lettering, letter position, bands, letter sizing, etc) is perfect.  I am getting conflicting opinions. Some say that the warranty seal should start with G or H, while others such as a former director of Cubatabaco (Habanos) says that the two letter warranty seal coding is not as black and white as many think.  He said that, even thou the production crosses to the following year, at the beginning of the following year the factories may keep using the warranty seals they have leftover until depleted.

Has anyone heard of this or have an opinion?  Thanks

[Puros Y Vino]

Hey there. Looks like your new. Welcome.You'd do well to post an intro in the Newbie intro thread. As for this question. Pictures go a long way if you want an answer.

[rmklaw]

Thank you. I did post an introduction in the Newbie section the first day and also another introduction at the top of this thread. You are right about the pictures. My question, however is basically about a difference of opinion regarding the accuracy of the first two letters of the Warranty seal serial number to determine production year as you start the beginning of the following production year, such as in this case.

[nKostyan]

It's possible. The stamp with the code and date is installed at the factory. The cigars are then shipped to a central warehouse in Havana, where warranty seals are affixed. There may be a time gap here. Any reason: from the carelessnes of Cubans to the shortage of warranty seals.

[rmklaw]

Thank you. Actually, the Warranty Seal shows a code (FR) that corresponds to the previous year.  In other words Warranty Code decodes as 04, while date stamp says Feb 05.