Crack the Date Code: Hermès
Hermes is the most prestigious luxury fashion houses in the world, renowned for its exclusivity and craftsmanship. For most of us, we aren’t lucky enough to be offered a Birkin or Kelly in store, so we resort to purchasing pre-loved. Purchasing pre-loved comes with its pro like cheaper prices or access to quota bags but the concern of authenticity. A key element in identifying and authenticating Hermes bags is the blind stamp. This guide will teach you where the blind stamp is and what it means.
What is the Hermes Blind Stamp?
The Hermes blind stamp, also known as the date code, is an embossed marking that indicates the year the bag was manufactured, the artisan who crafted it and the location in which the bag was made. Unlike other brands, Hermes blind stamps are subtly pressed into the leather, making them less conspicuous.
Where to Find the Blind Stamp?
Birkin and Kelly: The blind stamp is usually on the outer arm of the bag however it is sometimes found on the left side of the interior near the black flap.
Other Hermes Styles: The blind stamp is located under the bag tab and on the underside of the strap or pressed into the leather on the inside at the bottom of the bag.
Constance Bags: the blind stamp is usually found on the middle interior panel, on the very side of the pocket.
How to Read Hermes Blind Stamps:
One of the most important clues to your Hermès bag’s authenticity and history is the blind stamp—a discreet letter (sometimes surrounded by a shape) that reveals the year your bag was crafted. Use the Hermès Date Code Finder below to decode your bag’s blind stamp and uncover its year of manufacture in seconds.
Only the first letter of the code is required.
1971-1997: Hermes introduced a simple letter system where a single letter (A-Z) corresponded to the year of production.
1997-2014: The letter was enclosed within a square.
2015-2025: Hermes now uses a system where the letter in encased in a circle.
Other Hermes Stamps:
The Square: symbolising that an item is crafted from Alligator Mississippiensis
The Carat: represents the use of Crocodile Porosus in an item
The Horseshoe: stamped on every custom Hermes product, this mark signifies a special order.
The Equal Sign: symbolises that the item is crafted from Varanus Salvator Lizard
The Dash: indicates the use of Crocodile Niloticus
The employee Stamp: usually an “s” mark that identifies items purchased at an employee discount.
The Shooting Star: A rare stamp that represents an item that was crafted for personal use by an Hermes artisan.
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