CIDOC Guidelines for Museum Object Information: Object Number Information Group

This page is part of the International Guidelines for Museum Object Information: The CIDOC Information Categories: a description of the Information Categories that can be used when developing records about the objects in museum collections. For an outline of the Information Groups and Categories in the Guidelines, turn to the introductory list.

Object Number Information Group

Purpose:

This information supports Security, Accountability, and Access. Without an Object number it is not possible either to uniquely identify an object or to link an object with its documentation. The Object number should be marked on, or otherwise physically associated with the object.

Information categories:

Object number
Object number type
Object number date

Examples:

An object with several numbers:
Object number: A1234
Object number type: accession number
Object number date: 1970

Object number: 57.357
Object number type: previous loan number
Object number date: 1943

An object that is part of a group:
Object number: 1992.3001a
Object number type: inventory number
Object number date: 1992

A group of specimens in a life sciences collection:
Object number: 79.222
Object number type: collection number
Object number date: 1979

Notes:

• This Information Group is repeatable, as an object can have multiple Object numbers over time.
• It is essential to provide at least the current Object number. Older numbers should also be recorded, with an explanatory description in the Object number type Information Category.
• When an object comprises separable or separate parts, the Object number may be qualified using a different suffix for each part.
• In natural science or archaeological collections, or other collections where large numbers of similar objects or specimens are grouped together, the Object number can be assigned to a contained group or lot of objects, without differentiation for individual objects.

Object number

Alternate names:

Accession number
Inventory number
Catalog number
Registration number

Definition:

A unique number, assigned by the institution, that connects an object to its documentation and provides a unique identification.

Examples:

1994.1

Notes:

• The Object number can consist of numbers, letters, or a combination of numbers and letters.
• The Object number should be written legibly or printed on all documents concerning the object, and attached semi permanently on the object itself or, for very small objects and objects otherwise unsuited to semi permanent marking, on the container holding the object.
• Multiple numbers may be assigned to the object, e.g., an object may have a current accession number and an old loan number.

Move to beginning of Object number

Object number type

Alternate names:

Identity number type

Definition:

The type or function of the Object number recorded.

Examples:

accession number
previous accession number
previous loan number

Notes:

• It is recommended that controlled terms are used for this Information Category. Refer to the "Content and terminology control" section in the Introduction for further guidance on sources of controlled terminology.

Move to beginning of Object number

Object number date

Alternate names:

Accession number date
Identity number date
Inventory number date
Catalog number date
Registration number date

Definition:

The date that the Object number was assigned to the object.

Examples:

1933-01-21

Notes:

• Always use the same format when recording dates.
• Always record all four digits for the year of a date, e.g., 1994, not '94.

Move to beginning of Object number

Move to outline of the Information Groups and Categories or the next section of the Guidelines, Object production

file: guidenum.htm; author: CIDOC; updated June 1995