Are all Items Authentic?
100 Percent!!!!!
Louis Vuitton date codes or authenticity codes began appearing after the 1980's. Vintage Louis Vuitton manufactures prior to 1980 would not have any date codes, and can only be verified as authentic by looking at various factors: evaluating when the style was introduced, looking at the exterior leather, inspecting the lining/stitches etc..
Below is the table of the date codes used by Louis Vuitton on their products, which can be interpreted according to
1. Date the product was manufactured
2. Location of the manufactured product
Other methods of determining the authenticity of the Louis Vuitton product will be where the code is located for that particular item and the apperance of the code. For example, they can appear either on:
- separate leather tab that stick out of the inner lining with the code embedded
- directly embossed on the inner lining and close to the inside seam of the product
- directly embossed on the under side of the D-ring (typical of Speedy)
- directly embossed on Alcantara lining (suede material on inside of Epi leather bags)
- stamped on the inside lining close of the seam of canvas leather lined bags (usually in an offset dark color)
Note: Fake bag manufacturers are getting better at replicating the authentic products so it is important to always evaluate the exterior, interior, grommets, hardware, lining etc.. as date codes can be easily replicated. However, fake bag manufacturers do not focus on quality made products and easily forget to include specific details as they typically mass produce their items.
Date Code Description
Early 80's 3 or 4 digit date codes, representing the month and year that the product was manfuctured.
Late 80's 3 or 4 digit date codes (as above) followed by two letters representing the location that the product was manufactured.
1990-2006
First two letters represent the location that the product was manufactures.
Followed by four numbers:
- First / Third number = Month
- Second / Fourth number = Year
2007-onwards
First two letters represent location
Followed by four numbers:
- First / Third number = Week
- Second / Fourth number = Year
Locations Letter Abbreviations
France A0, A1, A2, AA, AAS (Special Order), AN, AR, AS, BA, BJ, BU, DU, CO, CT, ET, FL, LW, MB, MI, NO, RA, RI, SD, SL, SN, SP, SR, TH, TR, VI, VX
Germany LP
Italy BC, BO, CE, FO, MA, RC, RE, SA, TD
Spain CA, LO, LB, LM, LW
Switzerland DI, FA
USA FC, FH, LA, OS, SD, FL
CHANEL DATE CODE GUIDE
Chanel will typically have an interior hologram sticker with date codes that correspond to the year of manufacturer, as well as "slashes" on the number zero corresponding to the particular year of manufactured and feet or font serifs on the number one.
Note: Hologram stickers do fall off on occassion and the lack of a sticker does not mean that the bag is not authentic.
Serial Number Year Manufactured Number labels
14XXXXXX 2011 zero strikethrough, 1 in serif font
13XXXXXX 2009-2010 zero strikethrough, 1 in serif font
12XXXXXX 2008-2009 zero strikethrough, 1 in serif font
11XXXXXX 2007-2008 zero strikethrough, 1 in serif font
10XXXXXX 2006-2007 zero strikethrough, 1 in serif font
9XXXXXX 2005-2006 zero strikethrough, 1 in serif font
8XXXXXX 2004-2005 zero strikethrough, 1 in serif font
7XXXXXX 2003-2004 zero strikethrough, 1 in serif font
6XXXXXX 2000-2002 zero strikethrough, 1 in serif font
5XXXXXX 1997-2000 No zero strikethrough on 52X* - 56X*
4XXXXXX 1996-1997 zero strikethrough, 1 sans serif
3XXXXXX 1994-1996 zero strikethrough, 1 sans serif
2XXXXXX 1991-1994 zero NO strikethrough only until 27X*, 1 serif font
1XXXXXX 1989-1991 zero NO strikethrough, 1 in serif font
0XXXXXX 1986-1989 zero NO strikethrough, 1 in serif font
HERMES DATE CODE GUIDE
Hermes will typically have an embossed stamp of the a letter and a geometric shape (either a circle or a square), which represent the year it was manufactured. Hermes made prior to 1970 will have no shape but just an embossed letter.
No Shape Circle Square
1945 A
1946 B
1947 C
1948 D
1949 E
1950 F
1951 G
1952 H
1953 I
1954 J
1955 K
1956 L
1957 M
1958 N
1959 O
1960 P
1961 Q
1962 R
1963 S
1964 T
1965 U
1966 V
1967 W
1968 X
1969 Y
1970 Z
1971 A
1972 B
1973 C
1974 D
1975 E
1976 F
1977 G
1978 H
1979 I
1980 J
1981 K
1982 L
1983 M
1984 N
1985 O
1986 P
1987 Q
1988 R
1989 S
1990 T
1991 U
1992 V
1993 W
1994 X
1995 Y
1996 Z
1997 A
1998 B
1999 C
2000 D
2001 E
2002 F
2003 G
2004 H
2005 I
2006 J
2007 K
2008 L
2009 M
2010 N
customer service channels if you have any questions regarding how to authenticate a designer handbag.
Many boutiques selling designer handbags offer a free authentication of their designer handbag brand.
Balenciaga
Often the bales are one of the keys to authenticating a Balenciaga. The bales should be thick and rounded not thin or square-this is the part that connects the handles to the bag. Also, the notches in rivets will be rounded and not square.
Louis Vuitton
Make sure that the LV’s line up in straight lines. Also, the stitching should be tight and even. Be sure to study the correct fonts for heat stamps and date codes.
Chanel
Chanel handbags have signature hologram stickers that have changed a lot over the past decade. It is important to keep up-to-date on the latest trends. Prior to the 1980's, Chanel bags did not have hologram stickers or cards. There are other ways to ensure your vintage bag is authentic like fonts, heat stamps, alignment of patchwork, etc.
Marc Jacobs
Make sure that each MJ bag has a seasoned code and a riri lampo or MJ zipper.
Gucci
The GG’s should line up symmetrically.
Prada
Prada bags are some of the hardest to authenticate. Each style has unique linings, zippers, materials and hardware.
Fendi
Every Fendi comes with a hologram sticker and a serial tag.
Chloe
All Chloe’s have a genuine serial number. An authenticator will know how to assess the quality of the stitching and the suppleness of the leather.
Yves Saint Laurent
Authentic Yves Saint Laurent bags never have a tag hanging off it. YSL bags have embossed serial numbers on the inside of the bag. The YSL label on the inside the bag is never smudged and always evenly aligned.
Dior
ALL Dior bags come with a white cotton dustbag with grey writing. The serial number will be located on the flipside of the inner sewn in label.
Jimmy Choo
On an authentic Jimmy Choo, the lettering JIMMY CHOO should always be centered between the screw heads. The fonts should look finished and centered. The locking mechanism must feel sturdy and rather heavy.
Bottega Veneta
On authentic Bottega Venetas, the zippers are high quality and sewn so they lay flat with no buckling.
Valentino
Authentic Valentinos have only top quality leather and fabric for their bags, so if the materials seem rough or uneven, the bag's probably a fake.