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Home > Date and Authenticity Codes
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Date and Authenticity Codes
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Louis VuittonContrary to popular belief, Louis Vuitton handbags (excluding luggage and rare limited edition pieces) do not have serial numbers. Rather, Louis Vuitton handbags have "date codes" stamped either on interior tags or directly on the interior linings. These date codes simply serve to identify the manufacturing location and date for a Louis Vuitton handbag, not to verify it's authenticity. With the exception of early handbags (early 1980s and older), date codes can be found on all Louis Vuitton handbags and other items made by the luxury brand (e.g. sunglasses).
Most date codes are a combination of letters and numbers. The letters indicated the country in which the item was made while the numbers indicate the month/year of the production date. The format of the date codes are as follows:
- Prior to early 1980s. No date codes.
- Early 1980s. Three or four numbers with the first two numbers representing the year and last number(s) representing the month. E.g. "836" would indicate a manufacturing date of June, 1983.
- Early to late 1980s. Three or four numbers followed by two letters with the first two numbers representing the year, the next number(s) representing the month and the last two letters representing the country (see right sidebar for factory location codes). E.g. "874VX" would indicate a manufacturing date of May, 1987 and factory location in
France. Late in the 1980s, the letters representing the factory location came before the three or four numbers representing the manufacturing date.
- 1990 to 2006. Two letters followed by four numbers with the first two letters representing the factory location, the first and third numbers representing the month and the second and forth numbers representing the year. For example, “VI1025” would indicate a factory location in
France and a manufacturing date of December, 2005.
- 2007 and newer. Two letters followed by four numbers with the first two letters representing the factory location, the first and third numbers representing the week of the year, and the second and forth numbers representing the year. For example, “SD2057” would indicate a factory location of
USA and a manufacturing date of the 25 week (or May) of 2007
Keep in mind that the fact that an item has a date code does not guarantee that it's authentic since many counterfeit items have date codes. A valid and properly stamped date code is just one many parameters that are checked to guarantee the authenticity of a Louis Vuitton handbag.
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Date code embossed on tag inside a Louis Vuitton handbag.
Louis Vuitton Factory Location Codes
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France
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A0, A1, A2, AA, 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
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Germany
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LP
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Italy
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BC, BO, CE, FO, MA, RC, RE, SA, TD
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Spain
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CA, LO, LB, LM, LW
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Switzerland
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DI, FA
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USA
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FC, FH, LA, OS, SD, FL
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Authentic Handbags with No Date Code?Authentic Louis Vuitton handbags with alcantara linings may have
date codes that are very hard to read or have disappeared altogether. This is sometimes the case for older bags or if the bags have had their linings cleaned.
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ChanelAuthentic Chanel handbags come with authenticity cards embossed with a serial number. The serial number matches the serial number appearing on a sticker placed somewhere within the handbag’s interior lining. From the mid 1980s on, the serial number sticker had Chanel logos and was protected by a clear tape with hologram security feature from approximately 2000-on. The sticker, Chanel logo, and hologram design varied with the manufacturing date:
- Mid 1980s to early 1990s. Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker with Chanel logos.
- Early to mid 1990s. Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with Chanel logos.
- Mid to late 1990s. Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker with horizontal lines covered with clear tape featuring holographic Chanel logos.
- Late 1990s to 2005. Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker with two gold Chanel logos and diagonal cut lines. Sticker covered with clear tape featuring holographic gold specks.
- 2005 and newer. Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker with two gold Chanel logos and diagonal cut lines. Sticker covered with clear tape featuring black “CHANEL” text and holographic gold specks.
Note that over time, serial number stickers often become detached from handbags. Authentication cards also often become lost. Therefore, Chanel handbags missing these items may still be authentic.
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Hologram sticker with serial number (top). Accompanying authenticity card (bottom).
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