why do credit cards have an expiration date?

Question

I get needing expiration dates back when they first came out, but it seems sort of antiquated in today’s world.

In: 17

Answer 1

All the answers miss the point. OP does not ask why physical cards are replaced from time to time or why card numbers expire. They ask why is the expiry date printed on the card?

And this is indeed somewhat historic. Since you can cancel a card before it expires, the information is not that useful. Sure, it may help phasing out old cards to have an explit date on every card issued.