A little off topic {ok, pretty much off topic) is this YouTube video about old Atari 2600 game registry numbers.
I share this because it provides evidence the numbers started out with a certain logic in mind but, over a few short years, the logic was abandoned. At the beginning the registry numbers were grouped sort of by category. All the combat style games in a certain sequence, sports in another sequence, etc... Then you can see how the sequences devolve into random order.
So, the ship registery numbers in Starfleet could have a similar history.
I share this because it provides evidence the numbers started out with a certain logic in mind but, over a few short years, the logic was abandoned. At the beginning the registry numbers were grouped sort of by category. All the combat style games in a certain sequence, sports in another sequence, etc... Then you can see how the sequences devolve into random order.
So, the ship registery numbers in Starfleet could have a similar history.