Hermès Date Stamp Guide: Decoding Authenticity by Year & Style

Every Hermès bag carries a hidden story within its leather, a small stamp that hints at when it was made and who crafted it. These date stamps aren’t just numbers and letters; they’re a timeline and a secret handshake for collectors, letting you trace your bag’s history and feel a bit more confident about what’s in your hands.

Date stamps are letter codes that indicate the year your Hermès bag was manufactured, with different formatting styles used across different decades. From 1971 to 1996, the year code sat inside a circle. Then, from 1997 to 2014, it moved into a square. Since 2015, it’s just a bare letter.

Hermès has also shifted the stamp’s location. Sometimes it’s on the closure strap, other times it’s tucked inside. Getting a handle on these codes opens up all sorts of insights about your bag. Let’s dig into where to find these stamps, how to read them, and how you can use them to check if your Hermès really is the real deal.

Key Takeaways

• Date stamps reveal the manufacturing year and craftsman info through letter codes, with different looks over the decades
• Stamps aren’t always in the same spot, they move around depending on the bag model and year
• For authentication, date stamps matter, but so do hardware quality, stitching, and the leather itself

What Are Hermès Date Stamps?

Hermès date stamps are tiny codes pressed into the leather, acting as a built-in ID for authenticating bags and figuring out when they were made. They also give you a clue about which workshop put the bag together. The system’s changed a lot since it started in 1945.

Purpose and History of Date Stamps

Back in 1945, Hermès started stamping their bags to keep tabs on quality and hold craftsmen accountable. Each stamp includes a letter for the year, and sometimes extra symbols for the workshop. From 1971 to 1996, the year letter lived inside a circle. Then Hermès switched to a square from 1997 to 2014. Now, since 2015, it’s just a plain letter, no shapes.

The location’s changed too. Up until 2016, you’d usually spot the stamp inside the closure strap on the left. After that, Hermès moved it inside, closer to the back flap.

Blind Stamps Versus Logo Stamps

Hermès uses two main types of stamps, and they’re easy to mix up. Blind stamps are the heat-pressed, colorless marks with the date codes. These are what you want for authentication. Logo stamps are the shiny, foil Hermès branding you see outside the bag. They’re for looks, not for dating or authenticity.

Blind stamps are subtle. You have to hunt for them. They’re pressed into the leather, not printed or foiled. People call date stamps “blind stamps” because they’re not meant to stand out. It’s a low-key way of keeping the bag’s look clean while still giving you vital info.

Common Misconceptions

A lot of folks think older date stamps automatically mean a bag’s worth more. Not true, condition and rarity matter way more than just age. Another myth: date stamps don’t tell you the exact day or month, just the year. There’s also confusion about where the stamp lives. Hermès has moved them around quite a bit, so don’t assume every real bag has the stamp in the same spot.

And if you can’t see a clear date stamp, that doesn’t always mean the bag’s fake. Some vintage bags have stamps so faded they’re basically invisible.

How to Find Hermès Date Stamps on Different Bags

The spot where Hermès hides the stamp depends a lot on the bag style and the year. Here’s where to look and a few tips for tracking down those elusive marks.

Birkin and Kelly Bag Stamp Locations

On Birkin bags, the date stamp usually hides on the leather tab inside, left side if you’re peeking in. For bags made after 2015, check the interior leather panel opposite the closure. Some older Birkins have the stamp on the back wall inside.

Kelly bags are similar, but sometimes the stamp sits near the clasp on the inside leather tab. Vintage Kellys from the 70s and 80s? Check the back interior wall. Stamps are tiny, about 2–3mm tall. Good lighting (or a magnifier) helps a lot.

Evelyne, Constance, and Other Styles

Evelyne bags can be tricky. The stamp’s usually on the inside leather tab, but the exact spot changes with the bag size.

For Constance bags, look inside the compartment behind the clasp. The stamp’s often on the leather lining, not a tab.

Garden Party and Picotin bags keep their stamps on interior leather patches. Picotin usually puts it on the small leather tab inside the bucket.

Lindy bags go for interior leather tabs too, but the placement can be a bit different thanks to the bag’s oddball closure.

Tips for Spotting Hard-to-Find Stamps

Dark leather makes stamps tough to see. Use your phone’s flashlight and check methodically. Vintage bags might have stamps that are barely there. Look for faint impressions, not just ink.

Check both sides of tabs and all the nooks inside. Sometimes the craftsman picked a weird spot because of the leather. If you’re still stuck, try feeling the leather. Real Hermès stamps leave a slight dent you can sometimes feel with your fingers.

How to Read Hermès Date Stamp Codes

Hermès date stamps use an alphabetical system to mark production years, with the look of the stamp changing by era. The letter’s style and any shapes around it tell you when your bag was made.

Letters and Shapes: The Chronology

To read Hermès date stamps, you need to know the letter pattern and the shape around it. From 1971 to 1996, the letter’s inside a circle. In 1997, Hermès switched to a square around the year letter, and kept that up until 2014. After that, it’s just a bare letter. No circle, no square. Each letter marks a year, running through the alphabet. When they hit Z, they start over with A.

Special Cases and Irregularities

2014 is a weird one. Some bags from that year have the square, others just a bare letter. Hermès made the switch mid-year, so you’ll see both. Limited editions or special collections might have odd stamp placements or looks. That doesn’t mean they’re fake. It’s just Hermès being, well, Hermès.

The Importance of Matching Stamps to Eras

You have to match the stamp to the right era. If someone says a bag’s from 1985, it should have a circled letter, never a square or bare one. We use these details to spot fakes or misdated bags. If the stamp style and claimed year don’t line up, something’s off. Craftsman ID stamps should also fit the time period. Older bags have different marking styles than newer ones. Knowing these quirks helps you separate the real vintage gems from modern copies trying too hard.

Hermès Date Stamp Chart by Year (1945–2025)

Hermès date stamps have gone through four big phases, each with its own look. They started with plain letters, then circles, then squares, and now it’s back to just letters but with a twist.

1945–1970: Plain Letter Stamps

The first Hermès date stamps were dead simple. A single capital letter pressed right into the leather, no frills. From A-to-Z, one letter per year. These old stamps are tiny, tucked away inside the bag, and pretty understated. Bags from this era are tough to find. If you spot one, it’s like stumbling on buried treasure. Honestly, they look great, pure Hermès.

• Just one capital letter
• No shapes or borders
• Straightforward A–Z order
• Minimalist vibe

1971–1996: Circle Date Stamps

In 1971, Hermès started circling the year letter. The circle lasted 26 years and is a dead giveaway for collectors. These stamps are neat, precise circles, subtle but classy. Still the A–Z system. Circle stamps are a favorite for vintage fans. There’s just something about that perfect little ring.

• Letter inside a circle
• Kept the alphabet order
• Clean, balanced look
• Consistent size and spot

1997–2014: Square Date Stamps

Then came the square, sharper, more modern. For 18 years, every year letter got boxed in. It’s still A–Z, but the look is bolder. The square is crisp and easy to read. After 2014, Hermès tossed out the old pattern.

• Letter inside a square
• Clean, geometric lines
• Same alphabet cycle
• Easy to spot

2015–2025: Return to Letter-Only Stamps

In 2015, Hermès went back to basics, just a plain letter. But now, the sequence is random. It’s part nostalgia, part security. You’ll see letters like T, X, Y, and now K for 2025. Funny enough, K was also used in 1955, kind of a full-circle moment. The 2025 K stamp feels both retro and forward-thinking. It’s Hermès doing what it does, mixing old with new.

• Back to plain letters
• Letters don’t follow the alphabet
• Meant to fight counterfeiting
• Simple, classic look

Authenticating Hermès Bags Using Date Stamps

Date stamps are a big help for authentication, but fakes are getting better every year. You’ve got to watch for red flags, double-check the details, and use a mix of methods to be sure your Hermès is the real thing.

Red Flags and Typical Counterfeits

We’ve seen a lot of fake Hermès bags where the date stamps almost fool you. At least at first. The biggest giveaway? Stamps in the wrong spot. Hermès puts them in very specific places depending on the bag model.

• Stamps too high or low on the leather tab
• Fonts that are too thick, too thin, or just off
• Weird letter spacing
• Missing or totally wrong craftsman codes

Some fakes get a little creative and mix up stamp eras. Like, we’ve actually seen bags that claim to be from 2010 but have a circled letter, even though Hermès switched to squares from 1997 to 2014. If you look closely, the stamp quality usually gives it away. Real Hermès stamps have even depth and super crisp edges. Fakes? They’re often too deep, barely there, or just rough from sloppy tools.

Cross-Referencing Leathers, Colors, and Models

Authenticating isn’t just about the stamp, you’ve got to match it with Hermès’ own production history. We always double-check if the leather and color actually existed that year.

• Was that color around the year on the stamp?
• Did Hermès use that leather back then?
• Any hardware changes during that period?
• Were certain sizes even made yet?

Some leathers just didn’t exist in certain years. Like, Clemence leather didn’t show up until 1986. So if someone tries to sell you a “vintage” Clemence bag with an earlier stamp, that’s a big red flag. It’s worth reaching out to Hermès archives or trusted authentication services for those nitty-gritty details. Odd color combos from the wrong era? Usually not a good sign.

Comprehensive Authentication Tips

We never rely on just the date stamp. It’s about the whole package. The stamp should make sense with everything else on the bag. Our go-to checklist:

• Leather: Grain and texture should feel right
• Stitching: Hand-sewn, saddle-stitched Hermès style
• Hardware: Should feel heavy, look sharp, engravings crisp
• Build: The whole bag should scream quality

Pros use special tools to check the stamp’s depth and clarity. We’ve noticed real stamps sink into the leather evenly, while fakes look patchy or forced. The craftsman code is another piece of the puzzle. Every artisan has their own number, and it should line up with the bag’s quality and style. If you’re not sure, it’s always smart to go to a professional who has access to Hermès’ records and knows what to look for.

Other Hermès Stamps and Symbols

Hermès doesn’t just use date stamps. There are all sorts of symbols for exotic leathers, craftsman info, and even special sale conditions. These extra marks help tell the bag’s full story.

Exotic Skin and Sale Stamps

On bags made with exotics, you’ll spot special symbols. A "•" means crocodile, and "^^" is for alligator. Lizard bags get a "=" mark. Sale stamps show up as colored shapes or letters. The horseshoe means the bag was sold to an employee at a discount. An "S" in a circle? That’s a sample sale or outlet piece. Sometimes you’ll see red or blue stamps. Those usually mean special pricing or are for Hermès’ own inventory. If you spot an "X" stamp, that bag was marked defective, shouldn’t have been sold, but, well, things slip through.

Craftsman and Workshop Codes

Every Hermès craftsperson gets their own number, which sits next to the date stamp. You’ll see single or double digits. This number shows exactly who made the bag. Workshops have their own codes, too. Different Hermès ateliers use specific numbering. Most fakes skip this, or just make something up. These codes actually let Hermès track the bag back to the original maker and workshop. It’s pretty wild how much info is packed into a tiny stamp.

When Stamps Don’t Tell the Full Story

Sometimes stamps just wear off. If a bag’s been loved (maybe a little too much), the embossing can fade or get hard to read. We’ve run into bags where you can only see part of the stamp, and yeah, it takes an expert eye. Old bags like pre-1950s might not have a clear date stamp at all. You have to rely on hardware, stitching, and construction to figure out if they’re legit. Counterfeits often mess up stamp placement or use weird fonts. Real stamps are sharp, in the right spot, and match the bag’s design.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can You Decipher the Meaning Behind Different Hermès Stamp Symbols?

Those symbols actually tell a whole story about your bag. From 1945 to 1970, Hermès just used single letters with no shapes. Then, from 1971 to 1996, they added circles around the letters. After that, squares took over from 1997 to 2014. Post-2015, Hermès ditched the shapes and started scrambling the letter order each year. It’s their way of making life harder for counterfeiters. Every stamp includes the artisan’s unique code, too. That’s a cool detail. Lets you know exactly who made your bag.

Can You Shed Some Light on The Changes in Hermès Date Stamps Over the Years?

The stamps really track Hermès’ style and security changes. Early on, it was just A-to-Z, easy to date. The circle years (1971–1996) matched Hermès’ global growth. The square era (1997–2014) was their most organized phase. After 2015, they started picking letters out of order. It’s a clever move to keep fakes guessing. Sometimes a letter will repeat after decades, like 2025’s “K,” which hasn’t been used since the ‘50s.

What Secret Does the Hermès Blind Stamp Hold About The Bag’s Origins?

The blind stamp packs in three main clues: the year, the craftsman, and sometimes the workshop. The main letter is your production year, and the numbers or extra marks tell you who and where. Occasionally, you’ll see codes for special leathers or custom treatments. Even where the stamp sits on the bag means something. Hermès has certain spots for each style.

Is There a Witty Trick to Quickly Identify The Production Year of My Hermès Bag?

Honestly? Memorize the recent random sequence: T (2015), X (2016), A (2017), and so on up to K (2025). Or just keep a cheat sheet handy. For older bags, remember: no shape (1945–1970), circle (1971–1996), square (1997–2014). That’ll get you close. Always check more than one source. Sometimes a reference chart is off, but cross-checking gives you the real answer. And don’t forget, quality matters. Real stamps are deep and crisp, not painted on or just barely pressed.

Just Scored a Vintage Beauty: How Can I Confirm Its Era With The Hermès Stamp?

First, find the stamp. Look under the flap, on strap backs, or inside pockets. Check the depth and clarity in good light. Real vintage stamps are pressed in, not just sitting on top of the leather. Cross-check the letter with a few different date charts. Be extra careful with pre-1971 bags, those stamps are easier to fake. And always look at the bag as a whole. Hardware, stitching, and leather should all match the supposed year. If something feels off, trust your gut and get a second opinion.

What's The Tale Behind The Letter Z in Hermès Stampings, And What Year Does It Represent?

The letter Z has popped up a few times in Hermès history, which makes things a bit confusing for anyone trying to date a bag. Originally, Z meant 1970. Simple enough. But then Z showed up again in 1996, this time inside a circle. That marked the last year of that particular stamp style. Fast forward to the square era, and Z made another appearance in 2014, closing out that system too.

After 2015, Hermès switched things up and started randomizing their codes. Z hasn’t shown up again since then, but presumably, whenever it does, it’ll stand for whatever year Hermès decides. There’s really no telling. Because Z covers a few different years, authenticating a bag gets a little trickier. You really have to look at the shape of the stamp and the bag’s details to figure out which Z era you’re staring at.