LEGO set numbers

[fred67]

Is there some method to numbering sets? The only thing I know is that five digit numbers starting with "1" are generally considered advanced or UCS.

It seems that sometimes series often have the same prefix (like 80XX), but even then they're all over the place. So I was just curious if there's any method behind it.

[Rick]

Fugazi wrote an excellent article about this a while back.

[fred67]

Fugazi wrote an excellent article about this a while back.

Thanks... it's pretty much what I thought... it's essentially random by now.

[Brickdoctor]

EDIT: Took so long, the question's already been answered.

Edited September 7, 2010 by Brickdoctor

[XimenaPaulina]

Fugazi wrote an excellent article about this a while back.

Thanks for sharing Rick, great article by Fugazi. I'v been wondering about this issue also, that clarifies things up.

... it's essentially random by now.

It might be random now, but not that overly random, since TLG still numbers sets in the same theme together, like the recent SW sets from the 808X-809X series.