So this question has been rattling around the old brain for a while now. Can't seem to find anyone with inside knowledge as to WHY there were different numbers inside the Alley Viper version 1 shields (which now rolls over to the latest 25th/RoC/PoC/Retaliation figures), and what they mean... so the question is posited here for y'all to speculate and comment upon.
At first thought, maybe it was a regional code type of thing? Since only seeing 8 as a base number as a small child, it kinda made some sense to think "all four map directions for the US (North = 1, East = 2, etc.), 5 is Canada, 6 is Mexico, 7 is the UK areas and 8 is Australia. But maybe that train of thought is skewed.
Perhaps it was production runs? But how could a first year, just recently released brand new version 1 figure have an 8th production run?
Mentioning the newer figures: the only number they have, as far as is known, is 1. Are there more numbers out there to be found? Because if an 8 is floating out there, a PM would be appreciated for a trade or purchase. =)
It's a been a real head scratcher and here's hoping for a real answer. Mysterious Stranger, you're being looked at for a bit of help here since ya seem more "connected" to some Hasbro peeps... lol
# 8.