SHA-256 Hash identical on two similar but not exact items There are two discs that we have that have all the same files. However, using a new method for burning the discs, the second disc had modified file dates of 5/30/2018 while the original disc has dates of 2013. 

The hash value of each CD is identical.

I tried to recreate this by making a Microsoft Word document that had the word 'blue' in size 12 Times New Roman. First I had my name as the author and hashed the file. I added an other through Windows Explorer in the details tab of the properties menu. The hash value of each file, though stored in the same folder with the same content differed between the two files.

Is there an easy explanation for what two cds with files having different modification dates be identical?

Thanks in advance.
The hash value of each file, though stored in the same folder with the
  same content differed between the two files.


That is because MS Word encodes things like who last changed the file in its actual file instead of just in the filesystem metadata. Thus this change indeed affects the hash.


  Is there an easy explanation for what two cds with files having
  different modification dates be identical?


CodesInChaos provided the answer in the comments:


  Change dates are part of the filesystem metadata and not of the file
  content itself, and thus don't get considered when hashing the file
  content.