it is a lie there is several build date texts in ROM - Jan 10 1997Well the date on them is december 6th 1996
so, yes, it is new(est) version! (with old label/sticker)
the are likely torrent-zipped, so all the files/ROMs have same date which means nothing.if I unzip the mame set the date next to the files is december 24th..
PS: how do you prefer to be credited, Trol or other nickname/name ?