Yes they are JABO Classics. Yes JABO Classics can be attributed to specific runs too just like contract era marbles. You are working off of misinformation to begin with, which is extremely common in the marble world. Start your search in 2003 instead of 1998 and you will do better being able to accurately attribute your marbles. I can’t explain the 5 year difference in the sellers memory, but it’s a false memory of sorts.