For what it's worth.  From the ARRL rules for Sweepstakes regarding  the 
check:

***

4.4. Check

4.4.1. The last 2 digits of the year of first license for either the 
operator or the station.

4.4.2. An entry must send the same Check throughout the entire contest.

***
For anyone wanting info regarding  historical  callsign info (like date 
first licensed) contact Pete  NL7XM.  He is in Pennsylvania despite the 
NL7 call.   From the blurb  on the e-ham review of his service:

MSRP: $Free or 1.00
Description: NL7XM ("Pete the Greek") provides a wonderful service to 
the ham community by using his vast collection of Callbooks to research 
original license dates. His work is done as a service to his fellow hams 
(although he would accept $1.00 to defray copying and mailing costs). 
Keep him in mind when you have old Callbooks to dispose of. He can be 
reached at [log in to unmask]

Last of all, the pre-fill  info mentioned that is used by some of the 
logging software packages is just a compilation of data gathered from 
logs of previous contests.  It's not "official" and sometimes isn't even 
correct, since a station who was low power last year and sent "A", may 
be high power this year and sending "B".    Other data can change from 
year to year.    Also if you haven't played in a particular contest and 
  gotten into enough logs, you won't be in the next year's  pre-fill 
file anyway.

And last of last of all,  the contest is really just a game, and if you 
give the wrong year, the FCC isn't going to kick down your door and 
shut you down.   You should try to be consistent however and give the 
same  check throughout the contest as the rules quoted above state.


73, Steve KW3A










On 11/23/2015 6:04 PM, Pat Byrne wrote:
> The question of first licensing makes me wonder?  From a legal
> standpoint I don't think this information carries any
> significance.  Isn't it just a bit of information to be a part of the
> exchange?  I've not checked the FCC's database so don't know if
> anyone can check on the fact that I got my callsign/license in
> 1957.  Sadly along the way I've lost the original paper document.
> So, I'm wondering if you weren't quite sure of when you got that
> ticket, wouldn't an approximation do about as well?
> Thanks for the upcoming opinions.
> Pat, K9JAU
>