Is there any way to find out when a snuff container was manufactured? I vaguely remember from a pipesmokers forum long time ago someone “breaking” the codes which usually appear next to the barcode on the container as relevant to the date (month, semester, year) it was packed at the manufacturer. I’ve only found a large tin of McChrystals O&G that has stamped on the back: MADE 08/16 Some of the snuff containers I have nearby have codes on them, for example Bernard Alkoholfei tapbox: “L:86E” or Ozona President: “3YDS” Sadly, my favourite ones, SG, Viking or F&T tins dont seem to have any of these codes on them.

Only some of them have dates, like you noticed. The good thing is that most of them, if unopened, stay pretty fresh for a long time. And with some, it doesn’t matter how old they are, they’re still good. I have a tin of Red Rose Sweet Snuff, which by the looks of it, is from the 1960’s or 70’s. It’s dry, but it was dry when it was made, and it’s still really, really good. I don’t detect any scent of rose in it, but it’s still super sweet, and the tobacco has a mild, matured flavor. 

I’d marry it if I could!