A VIN-less Via Lattea Leads to More Questions

It's been the busiest summer we have had in years. We visited with all six of our kids and their families, some of them several times. (Beach Son Kyle and his family just went home Sunday after their second visit.) And we had a memorable trip to Utah and were gone from home ten days.

It has been enjoyable but it has also thrown our routine off, and I am way behind on social media news. Aside from blogging, I have spent very little time on the computer and as a result am way behind on the post-BreyerFest news.

So... I have a question that I am hoping one of you can answer for me.

Has there been any talk about Via Lattea having no VIN? Mine does not have one. Anywhere. 

There should be one on the bottom of a hoof.

Off front hoof.

Near hind hoof (with peg.)

Off hind hoof.

Near front hoof.

I've checked her belly for a VIN, under her jaw, and all over, but there is no VIN on this horse.

I decided to check a few more models and see if perhaps Breyer was no longer adding the VIN.

 Chevaliere 

and Zeitgeist, two of my three Volunteer models, have no VIN

but Ben Nevis does.

In a check of the BreyerFest models I have unpacked (I'm behind on that, too)

the Stagecoach Surprise

and Nemea both have VINs,

as does newly released regular run model, Neapolitan.

I'm not seeing any kind of pattern here. I suspect it may have to do with whether or not the model was produced in or out of the country but at this point that's just a guess on my part.

Can anyone clarify this for me? I'm really curious now.