Date code on Canon lenses ?

[stevewestern]

This has to be a simple one for you smart folks - how does a date code tell you the age of a lens and where do you find it ?
I am guessing it is the numbers written on the black part of the mount just outside the glass, in my case UW0312.
Anyone able to tell me please ?

 

[Halflap]

take a look here

March 2008 for UW03

 

[Neil.]

First letter relates to the place of manufacture, 'U" being Canon's Utsunomiya, Japan factory. Second letter is year of manufacture, 'W' being for lenses made in 1982 & 2008. Next two number are month, '03' being March. Last two numbers are apparently a Canon code. Details are here: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/canon-lenses/canon-lens-aging.aspx

 

[stevewestern]

Thanks to you both !
I apologize for my laziness - had I googled it before posting I too could have found out !