The patch number has, since I first installed on this computer, been - and still is - 1.69. I should probably correct my 2nd post above by saying I registered the code on the old Sims 3 site under register a game, where I've always registered everything, not actually via Origin, which is what it sounded like. It also isn't really telling me I *need* to update. It's just that update is an option under the Origin menu for the game, and it seems as though it shouldn't be there if not needed. However, I stay away from Origin as much as possible, so I don't really know what options *usually* show up.
Looking at it again just now, it appears to have changed my serial code to the new one I put in. Thinking there may be some conflict in my files? Will try pulling my sims 3 documents file and letting it generate a new one.
