The National Archives Catalog

Production Date

 
Mandatory Repeatable Data Type Authority Level Available A/V Only Public Element
No Yes Date None Item No Yes

 

Definition:

The date on which the item was first produced or created.

 

Purpose: Provides contextual information and serves as an access point to allow users to retrieve and sort items by production or creation date.

 

Relationship: This element is independent, but to have Production Date Qualifier, Production Date must be created.

 

Guidance:

Enter the date on which the item was first produced or created.

Use Production Date Qualifier to indicate an uncertain or approximate date.

It is not necessary to explain any distinction between Production Date and other date elements in Date Note.

Dates Before the Year 1000
For dates before the year 1000, including B.C. dates, leave this field blank and explain in Date Note.

Date Form
Enter the date in MM/DD/YYYY form.
If the day is unknown, enter the month and year in the MM/YYYY form.
If the month is unknown, enter the year in the YYYY form.
Do not use 00 as a month or day.

 

Examples:

 

01/07/1960

 

01/1960

 

1960


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