I've read that the Tamla 54000 numbering system is a sort of tribute to Berry Gordy's first hit with Jackie Wilson, "Reet Petite" on Brunswick 55024. And Motown seems pretty straight forward when they started with 1000 series, but is there any rhyme or reason to the 45 numbering system for the rest of the Motown subsidiaries? Some seem a little more obvious like Mel-O-dy and Miracle, but others are curious like Divinity, Soul, and V.I.P.

Divinity: 99000
Gordy: 7000
MC: 5000
Mel-o-dy: 100
Melodyland/Hitsville: 6000
Miracle: 1
MoWest: 5000
Natural Resources: 6000
Prodigal: 0600
Rare Earth: 5000
Soul: 35000
V.I.P.: 25000
Workshop Jazz: 2000