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What Year Was My Steinway & Sons Piano Made? (Serial Number Lookup + Guide)

DIRECT ANSWER

A Steinway & Sons piano can almost always be dated to a specific manufacturing year from its serial number. On a grand, the number is usually stamped into the cast-iron plate near the tuning pins; on an upright, it is normally on the plate under the top lid.

Steinway has used one continuous global serial-number sequence since 1853, covering both New York and Hamburg production. The number identifies the year, but not the factory of origin; confirming New York or Hamburg requires other identifying details.

STEINWAY SERIAL NUMBER LOOKUP TOOL

Steinway & Sons

WHERE IS THE SERIAL NUMBER ON A STEINWAY?

STEINWAY GRAND PIANOS

  • open the lid and look inside the piano
  • locate the cast iron plate near the tuning pins
  • the serial number is stamped clearly onto the plate
  • it is almost always located inside of the triangular inset (known as the “coffin”)
A Steinway & Sons grand piano with the lid open, revealing the serial number location.
On Steinway & Sons grands, the serial number is located inside of this recessed area on the plate. Below the serial number is the model name.
Close up of the serial number on a Steinway Model M grand piano.
Close up of the serial number on a Steinway Model M grand piano.
Steinway serial number located on grand piano action.
On most Steinway grands, if you cannot find the serial number on the plate, you can remove the "keyslip" (it lifts straight up and comes off easily) to reveal the number printed on the front of the action.

STEINWAY UPRIGHT PIANOS

  • open the top lid
  • inspect the cast iron plate inside the cabinet
  • the serial number is typically near the tuning pin area
  • in some early uprights, placement may vary 
Steinway upright Model K showing the location of the serial number.
On this Steinway upright, the serial number is near the top and slightly left of center.
Close-up of the serial number on a Steinway model K upright piano.
In this close-up of the same piano, we see that the serial number is just above the Model letter (K).
This shows the location of the serial number on a Steinway console upright piano.
On this Steinway console, the piano is on the horizontal surface, under the lid.
Close-up of the location of the serial number on a Steinway & Sons console upright piano.
Here is a close-up of the serial number on the console. "100" is the model number and is not relevant to looking up the serial number.

DO NOT USE THESE NUMBERS

  • Do not use the model name or model number shown near the serial number, such as M, K, or 100.

  • Do not use patent dates.

  • Do not use unrelated case or component markings.

  • Enter every digit of the serial number, especially on later pianos with longer numbers.

  • Do not use the Steinway & Sons lookup for Boston or Essex pianos; they use different serial-number systems.

WHAT A STEINWAY & SONS SERIAL NUMBER CAN TELL YOU

A Steinway serial number normally identifies the piano’s exact manufacturing year, its place in Steinway’s production timeline, and its general era of production.

It does not identify the original purchaser, ownership history, exact day or month of manufacture, factory of origin, optional equipment, or later restoration and modification work.

STEINWAY & SONS PIANO HISTORY

Steinway & Sons was founded in New York in 1853 by Henry E. Steinway. Its continuous serial-number sequence is one reason Steinway pianos are unusually straightforward to date.

  • The New York factory began production in 1853.

  • The Hamburg factory opened in 1880.

  • Both factories use the same overarching serial-number sequence.

  • The sequence includes both grand and upright pianos.

Reviewed by Joe Kemple, Master Piano Technician, Burd and Sons Piano Service · Updated September 2026

HOW WE DATE AND VALUATE PIANOS

Our database includes Steinway serial numbers from 1853 to present, covering both New York and Hamburg production across all models.
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