Two things to consider. Nikon tends to make product in batches...put them on the shelf, and then distribute from that batch for years. They don't create continuously manufacturing assembly lines... So a lens made in 1996 might not have actually been sold until 2005... Second, Nikon has never been exactly forthcoming about their manufacturing/distribution numbers with regards to their sales and distribution. Most all of the serial number databases are created by 3rd parties that are extrapolating data that gets distributed after the fact, and NOT from Nikon.