As long as the jars are of the same type and manufacture, the mould numbers (they are usually not batch numbers) on the bottom are irrelevant. We are, of course, mainly interested in the honey in the jar. Judges that do "strange" things should be questioned about them by the steward that accompanies him/her. I am quite happy to explain my actions at a show and often do open judging in front of an audience (often containing most of the exhibitors) and will take questions as I go along . This feedback improves the standards of the entries although does take much longer to complete the judging
Too many entries of otherwise excellent honey get eliminated due to too little care being taken by the exhibitor eg obvious bits of debris suspended in the honey or bits of wax floating on the top, incipient granulation in liquid honey, entries in wrong class eg medioum honey in light class, soft set in naturally granulated class, soft set that isn't set, underweight jars. I also come across stuff that should not be in a show such as fermenting honey, honey with over 20% water, filthy dented and rusty lids, dog/cat hairs and eyelashes in the honey. Once found a blue bottle drowned in a jar, an entry of wired cut comb and totally uncapped chunk in jar of chunk honey etc.
