Analog Lounge · Serial numbers
Check the year code on a classic Hasselblad camera body or film magazine. This tool reads the two year letters and identifies the corresponding manufacturing year within its stated coverage.
This database in other languages: Deutsch · Français · Italiano · Español
Decode a Hasselblad year code
JavaScript is required for the automatic lookup. The underlying data are also available in the tables below.
This checker covers year codes from 1950 to 2013 on classic camera bodies and film magazines. These are the limits of this version, not a claim that all magazine production ended in 2013. H System, X System, XPan, lenses and digital backs are outside its coverage.
How the manufacturing year is read
In the documented VHPICTURES code, the letters V, H, P, I, C, T, U, R, E and S represent the digits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 0. The two year letters provide the last two digits of the manufacturing year. A preceding numerical product-type code or a recognised third identifier is not read as a year digit.
The checker assigns a century only within its explicitly supported period. It does not identify the camera model or check whether a complete serial number exists in factory records. The result concerns the marked component; it does not establish its purchase date, repair history or condition.
View the reference data
| Letter | Digit |
|---|---|
| V | 1 |
| H | 2 |
| P | 3 |
| I | 4 |
| C | 5 |
| T | 6 |
| U | 7 |
| R | 8 |
| E | 9 |
| S | 0 |
| Year code | Year |
|---|---|
| CS | 1950 |
| CV | 1951 |
| CH | 1952 |
| CP | 1953 |
| CI | 1954 |
| CC | 1955 |
| CT | 1956 |
| CU | 1957 |
| CR | 1958 |
| CE | 1959 |
| TS | 1960 |
| TV | 1961 |
| TH | 1962 |
| TP | 1963 |
| TI | 1964 |
| TC | 1965 |
| TT | 1966 |
| TU | 1967 |
| TR | 1968 |
| TE | 1969 |
| US | 1970 |
| UV | 1971 |
| UH | 1972 |
| UP | 1973 |
| UI | 1974 |
| UC | 1975 |
| UT | 1976 |
| UU | 1977 |
| UR | 1978 |
| UE | 1979 |
| RS | 1980 |
| RV | 1981 |
| RH | 1982 |
| RP | 1983 |
| RI | 1984 |
| RC | 1985 |
| RT | 1986 |
| RU | 1987 |
| RR | 1988 |
| RE | 1989 |
| ES | 1990 |
| EV | 1991 |
| EH | 1992 |
| EP | 1993 |
| EI | 1994 |
| EC | 1995 |
| ET | 1996 |
| EU | 1997 |
| ER | 1998 |
| EE | 1999 |
| SS | 2000 |
| SV | 2001 |
| SH | 2002 |
| SP | 2003 |
| SI | 2004 |
| SC | 2005 |
| ST | 2006 |
| SU | 2007 |
| SR | 2008 |
| SE | 2009 |
| VS | 2010 |
| VV | 2011 |
| VH | 2012 |
| VP | 2013 |
Frequently asked questions
Does the serial number identify the exact model?
This checker reads the manufacturing year from the year code. Several models can share that code. Identifying a model requires its model marking and, where necessary, other visible features.
Must the body, magazine and lens have been made in the same year?
No. Each component must be checked separately and may have been made in a different year. A result for the camera body must not be applied to the attached magazine or lens.
Why is my number not recognised?
Possible reasons include a different number format, a misread marking or a year outside the supported period. Early numeric-only 1600 F serial numbers are not individually dated here. An unsuccessful lookup does not establish whether an item is authentic.
Sources and accuracy
Source basis: Hasselblad Historical, Q. G. de Bakker. This checker applies the documented year-code rule within its expressly stated coverage.
- Hasselblad Historical – Q. G. de Bakker: Dating Hasselblad equipment
- Hasselblad Historical – The Series One Hasselblad Cameras 1949–1950
Sources reviewed: 21.10.2026
Offer your photographic equipment or collection
Send us overview photographs, readable markings and any known details about condition. The initial assessment is free and non-binding.
Offer photographic equipment