The 212 Area Code Cachet Edition

On Seinfeld, mnemonic value, and what makes a Manhattanite.

Colin here. In the mid-2000s, Naveen, a friend of WITI and Foursquare co-founder, managed to acquire a coveted 212 phone number for his cell phone. We all thought it was a cool power move. This old-school series of digits carried a certain cachet.

212 was Manhattan's original area code, first assigned to landlines and early cell phones. Scarcity led to the introduction of 646 and 917 area codes, with 917 becoming synonymous with NYC cell phones. Today, 212 numbers are typically found on the aftermarket, though in 2023, Verizon briefly offered some, prompting a mention in Curbed.

Why is this interesting?

I recently purchased a 212 number, despite no longer living in New York. Having spent over two decades in the city, I justify this as earned rather than "stolen valor." The process was straightforward through various brokers (I used Ringboost). What fascinated me were the market dynamics: some numbers, particularly those easy to remember or with mnemonic value, command premium prices. For instance, 212-255-4733 costs $4,000, while less memorable 212 numbers go for a few hundred dollars.

Further investigation revealed that demand for 212 numbers is largely commercial. Having one gently suggests a Manhattan office and longstanding presence—a subtle but meaningful signal. It's comparable to a hedge fund being based in Greenwich, or securing a coveted short and punchy .com domain name for a new venture.

Not surprisingly, The New York Times documented the social cachet of 212 numbers in 2015:

The couple is preparing to move from Boston, and Ms. Parker did not want to get stuck with a number that started with 646 or 917 — the other area codes that will cover the borough until a fourth is added in a few years. To her, and others who recall New York City's original first three digits, the only acceptable area code for a Manhattanite is 212. "It's New York City's phone number," Ms. Parker, 40, said. "It's a status symbol most definitely."

Perhaps the best cultural reflection of the 212's power came in Seinfeld's 175th episode. After getting non stop fax calls, Elaine changes her number to the new 646 area code and gives it to a potential date. Upon seeing the 646 code, he claims to be in a relationship and walks away. (CJN)