Ladies, if you’re staunch Hermès fans, don’t let anyone tell you these bags are merely accessories. In fact, they’re a lot more than that: they’re literal works of art.
You’ve probably come across the term Hermès stamp, and you’re wondering what on earth it is and where it’s located. Worry not curious one, this Hermès stamp guide is going to answer everything you were too afraid to ask at the boutique.
First, the basics.
Hermès Date Stamps: 2025 to 2015
If you're checking the year your Hermès bag was made, these stamp codes are what you need to know.
Since 2015, Hermès moved away from shapes around the letters — no more boxes or circles, just a clean stamp pressed into the leather.
Here’s a quick list of the most recent stamps, starting with the latest:
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2025 – K
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2024 – W
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2023 – B
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2022 – U
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2021 – Z
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2020 – Y
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2019 – D
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2018 – C
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2017 – A
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2016 – X
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2015 – T
These stamps are discreet, but if you know where to look, they can tell you a lot, especially when you're buying pre-loved or comparing colours across years. Just one more reason to love the details only Hermès gets right!
What Does Hermès Stamp Mean?
The date stamp, also commonly referred to as the date code, comes in handy when you need to inquire about either the date of manufacturing or the godly artisan behind it. These are also sometimes called Hermès blind stamps — confusing, we know, but this is the worst of it, we promise.
Don’t let this fool you, though. A Hermès stamp isn’t sufficient proof of an authentic purse. You’d be surprised at the lengths fraudsters go to.
If you’re a Hermès noob, the thought of knowing your investment is stamped enough to have you floating high. However, since these stamps can be altered, why else are they so important?
You’d be surprised to know real Hermès stamps are also great indicators when it comes to validating or identifying certain colours. We all know that certain colours come with only so much life written to their name, but that doesn’t mean some are eerily similar.
Take the Candy Series Limited Edition bags for example. Bleu Celeste and Bleu Aztec were quite similar. Some would even go as far as to mix the two up. The ‘P’ stamp, however, was great at telling the two apart. Here’s a quick guide to all the Hermès leather stamps.
Do All Hermès Bags Have A Stamp?
This leads us to our next question: do all their bags have stamps?
The answer is yes! All genuine Hermès bags produced after 1945 have a Hermès date stamp. This stamp is essential for identifying the bag’s authenticity and age. However, finding the stamp can be tricky as Hermès places them in different spots depending on the bag style and year.
Where to Find the Hermès Date Stamp?
If you’ve just unboxed your Hermès (or you’re eyeing a pre-loved gem), one of the first things you’ll want to check is the date stamp. It’s usually hidden in plain sight, but where exactly depends on the bag.
Birkin & Kelly
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Before 2016: You’ll usually find the stamp on the inside of the left strap, just where it connects to the bag. For some Kellys, it might be under the top flap.
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After 2016: Hermès introduced a microchip system, so newer bags might not have a visible stamp at all. Totally normal, it's not missing, just more discreet.
Constance
Check under the front flap or along the inside edge of the interior. It’s easy to miss, but it’s there if you look closely.
Evelyne
You’ll likely spot the stamp near the back interior seam or tucked into the inside pocket. It doesn’t jump out, a little light helps!
Picotin
Flip open the bag and look along the leather strap on the inside or down near the base.
Lindy
Try checking the interior wall near the bottom or side seam. It’s a subtle placement, especially in soft leather.
Bolide
Peek inside the zipper end tab or look around the interior pocket.
Garden Party
These usually have their stamp along the interior panel, often near a seam or close to a pocket.
How To Check Hermès Stamp?
Now before you go around hunting for your Hermès stamp with your magnifying glass, you need to know what you’re even looking for. Hermès blind stamps are small, discreet and follow alphabetic order since the mid-40s.
Originally, the alphabets were circled or squared around. This was back in 1971 and the trend continued till 2015. However, that’s when codes started becoming super random. We’re still not sure what happened there but no worries, we’ll have you up to date in a jiffy.
Now, to check Hermès stamps, you need to know where to look. Here are some common locations:
- Birkin and Kelly Bags: For Birkins and Hermès Kelly, it’ll be inside, close to the back flap or under the strap
- Constance Bags: On the interior panel
- Evelyne Bags: Inside the closure strap
How To Read Hermès Date Stamp?
Reading Hermès stamps might seem daunting at first, but it’s pretty straightforward once you know what to look for.
Hermès uses letters, sometimes enclosed in shapes, to indicate the year a bag was made.
Here’s a quick breakdown :
What Is B Stamp ?
Okay, so following the chart we just shared with you lovelies above, The “B” stamp in Hermès bags indicates the year the bag was made.
Depending on the shape around the “B,” it could mean:
- No Shape (1946)
- Circle (1972)
- Square (1998)
- No Shape (2023)
What Is U Stamp Hermès?
Similarly, the “U” stamp can indicate different years:
- No Shape (1965)
- Circle (1991)
- No Shape (2022)
What Is Stamp Z In Hermès?
The “Z” stamp follows the same pattern:
- No Shape (1970)
- Circle (1996)
Extra Hermès Stamps: Exotic Leathers and Special Marks
We know we said that was the worst of it (remembering it all can seem a lot like memorising the periodic table), but there’s something we may have forgotten to mention earlier. Hermès also uses additional stamps to denote exotic leathers such as ostrich bags and special orders.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Square (☐): Alligator mississippiensis
- Caret (^): Crocodile Porosus
- Double Dots (··): Crocodile Niloticus
- Dash (-): Varanus Niloticus Lizard
- Equal Sign (=): Varanus Salvator Lizard
- Horseshoe: The Hermès horseshoe stamp is custom for VIP clients
- Shooting Star: Bags made for the artisan’s personal use
- Employee Stamp (S): Indicates a bag purchased at a discounted rate by an employee
A Parting Note on Hermès Stamps
Ladies, with so much fraud around us, you can just never be too sure when you’re purchasing that ‘oh so chic’ purse you’ve been daydreaming about. Imagine spending all your hard-earned money only to realise you’ve been ripped off (if you ask us, the thought alone is unbearable).
That’s where a Hermès stamp comes in handy. It can help you not just identify the manufacturing date but also the artisan behind it.
Now, before we get your hopes up, let’s just remind you that this isn’t a foolproof method of making sure your money’s been placed rightfully.
We’ve said time and again, and we’ll tell you again, always purchase your bags from an authorised seller, such as Love Luxury. We have a wide collection of gently used, preloved purses that are just itching to become part of your Hermès family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Hermès stamps fade or wear off?
Yes, they can, especially on softer leathers like Togo or Clemence. If the bag is handled a lot, the stamp might naturally wear down over time. It doesn’t mean your bag is fake, just well-loved! In some cases, older bags may have almost invisible stamps, and that’s totally normal.
How do I tell if a Hermès stamp is fake?
The real stamp will always be clean, evenly pressed, and in the right place, depending on the bag model and year.
If the stamp looks off-center, messy, or the font feels weird, that should definitely raise some questions. But don’t rely on the stamp alone. Fake bags can get pretty sneaky, so it’s always best to authenticate through a trusted expert or service if you’re unsure, or just buy from Love Luxury!
What’s the new Hermès RFID chip system?
Hermès has only recently started adding tiny RFID chips inside some of its bags. These aren’t visible and don’t change the look or feel of the bag, they’re just there to help Hermès track production and fight fakes.
Happy shopping, lovelies!
