Hermès serial number / blind stamp: Practical guide
Hermès, a symbol of luxury and craftsmanship, has won the hearts of fashion lovers around the world with its iconic bags. However, with the rise of counterfeits flooding the market, distinguishing a genuine Hermès bag from a fake is becoming increasingly difficult. That's why we're revealing the ultimate Hermès bag authentication guide to help you discover the secrets of authentic Hermès pieces.
How to understand the Hermès date stamp:
One of the most crucial elements in authenticating an Hermès bag is the date stamp, often referred to as the "blind stamp" or "craftsmen stamp". In contrast to serial numbers, Hermès items bear a single-letter stamp, indicating the year of manufacture. These stamps are classified according to the shape surrounding the letter, which has evolved over the years:
- No shape (old):
- Inside a circle:
From 1971 to 1996, the stamp is inside a circle, with letters indicating the respective years, starting from "A" in 1971 to "Z" in 1996.
- Inside a square:
The period between 1997 and 2014 sees stamps enclosed within a square, following a similar alphabetical sequence to denote the years.
From 1997 to 2014, the stamps appear inside a square, following a similar alphabetical sequence to indicate the years.
- No shape (new):
After 2014, Hermès returned to stamps without any surrounding shape, with each letter representing a specific year, following the alphabetical sequence.
Hermès date stamp guide:
| No shape (old) | Inside a circle | Inside a square | No shape (new) |
| 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 |
2015 - T 2016 - X 2017 - A 2018 - C 2019 - D 2020 - Y 2021 - Z 2022 - U 2023 - B 2024 - W |
* Note some Hermès bags including the Evelyne and Double Sens left the factory with a "JO" stamp in a rectangle instead of O stamp in square.
Locating the date stamp:
Hermès date stamps are discreetly engraved on the inside of the bag or in areas not visible from the outside. The most common locations are:
- On both sides of the strap.
- On the inside of the bag.
- Under the tab (depending on the model).
Other authentication measures:
While the date stamp serves as a fundamental authentication tool, it's essential to consider other aspects when verifying the authenticity of a Hermès bag:
- Craftsmanship: Authentic Hermès bags are impeccably finished, with neat stitching and high-quality materials.
- Hardware: Authentic bags feature high-quality hardware with clear, crisp engravings of the Hermès logo.
- Materials: Hermès uses only the finest materials, such as luxurious leathers and exotic skins.
- Price and seller: Beware of too-good-to-be-true offers and shop only at trusted stores.
With counterfeits continuing to evolve, it is essential to be well-informed when purchasing an Hermès bag. If you know the details of the Hermès date stamps and apply other authentication measures, you will be able to distinguish with confidence between an authentic Hermès piece and a counterfeit imitation. Remember, authenticity goes beyond the stamp; it is a testament to the prestigious craftsmanship and luxury that define Hermès.
