Strange foot circles..have aliens visited Ponyville?

[SeashellnBubbles]

So I just found this Denim Blue at the Value Village and while I was cleaning her I noticed she has this weird circle imprinted into the bottom of one hoof with a number 39 in it.  Is this common?  I checked my other ponies and they don't have it, even the ones from the same year!
Does this "branding" mean anything, or was she just one they pulled off the line for QC or something? If so they didn't do a good job...her cutie mark is a little smeared. Must have been "born" on a Monday, as my mom would say.

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[Oneleo1]

I think the number refers to what mold was used to make her...as for the concave hoof, I have to check mine and see if she is the same!

[NinaMarie]

Actually I believe it has to do with this http://intothesea.com/MyLittlePony/IDPages/2003_Promo.htm#50

Every year they did a numbered release of some of the ponies and printed that number on their hoof. I've never seen a packaged pony or any photos of their certificate or whatever. I do have about 3 myself that i've picked up second hand.

[SeashellnBubbles]

Actually I believe it has to do with this http://intothesea.com/MyLittlePony/IDPages/2003_Promo.htm#50

Every year they did a numbered release of some of the ponies and printed that number on their hoof. I've never seen a packaged pony or any photos of their certificate or whatever. I do have about 3 myself that i've picked up second hand.

I thought of that, but you'd think they'd be special and more expensive, so peole wouldn't launch them into the Goodwill zone. Other ponies do have a small, light number, but I only found her and one of the other ones I found today, I can't remember her name, she's pale blue with a harp and notes. She's in the exact same pose but has a 79 so I dunno...

[NinaMarie]

That is a very valid point that I've considered before. What I've pointed out is the only explanation I've found so far. Kinda hoping someone else comes along with good hard evidence.

[hathorcat]

Oneleo is right its a mould indicator. Remember as well that Hasbro uses 3 factories for manufacture so different factories have different processes hence the variety in manufacture and finish even across the same pony/set.

Its a way for manufacturers to help maintain quality - each number represents a different mould press. If misshapen or questionable quality ponies start coming off the line, they can quickly identify which mould has an issue and remove it. Its also why you ll find early ponies have low numbers and as the poses get older the number gets higher as old moulds wear down and are replaced.

This is a pretty common practice across a lot of mass produced toy lines for some older fashioned production manufacturers.

[SeashellnBubbles]

Oneleo is right its a mould indicator. Remember as well that Hasbro uses 3 factories for manufacture so different factories have different processes hence the variety in manufacture and finish even across the same pony/set.

Its a way for manufacturers to help maintain quality - each number represents a different mould press. If misshapen or questionable quality ponies start coming off the line, they can quickly identify which mould has an issue and remove it. Its also why you ll find early ponies have low numbers and as the poses get older the number gets higher as old moulds wear down and are replaced.

This is a pretty common practice across a lot of mass produced toy lines for some older fashioned production manufacturers.

Thank you Hathorcat!

[NinaMarie]

Awesome to know, thanks hathor! And Oneleo, sorry to doubt!