HERMES
Hermes Authentication and Blind Stamp Guide
Every Hermes item is handmade and therefore has its own intricacies based on the craftsman and leather. Each Hermes item will be embossed with the logo stamping in the natural, gold or silver with Hermes Paris logo. Everything should be lined up - evenly and centered with the Hermes name.
Hermes leather items should have a blind stamp. Hermes uses letters in alphabetical order to date the bags surrounded by a shape. From 1945 to 1970, no shapes were used. From 1971 to 1996, a circle shape is used. From 1997 to present, a square shape is used. The list shows the year made, and the letter that would be stamped on the bag based on that year. At the top of every list is the shape that the letter would be framed inside.
Additional numbers/letters appearing next to the blind stamp indicate the section at the atelier where the bag maker works.
HERMES BLIND STAMP AND YEAR REFERENCE GUIDE
|
No Shape |
Circle |
Square |
| 1945 A | 1971 A | 1997 A |
| 1946 B | 1972 B | 1998 B |
| 1947 C | 1973 C | 1999 C |
| 1948 D | 1974 D | 2000 D |
| 1949 E | 1975 E | 2001 E |
| 1950 F | 1976 F | 2002 F |
| 1951 G | 1977 G | 2003 G |
| 1952 H | 1978 H | 2004 H |
| 1953 I | 1979 I | 2005 I |
| 1954 J | 1980 J | 2006 J |
| 1955 K | 1981 K | 2007 K |
| 1956 L | 1982 L | 2008 L |
| 1957 M | 1983 M | 2009 M |
| 1958 N | 1984 N | 2010 N |
| 1959 O | 1985 O | 2011 O* |
| 1960 P | 1986 P | 2012 P |
| 1961 Q | 1987 Q | 2013 Q |
| 1962 R | 1988 R | 2014 R (late production had no square |
| 1963 S | 1989 S | 2015 T (no square) |
| 1964 T | 1990 T | 2016 X (no square) |
| 1965 U | 1991 U | 2017 A (no square) |
| 1966 V | 1992 V | 2018 C (no square) |
| 1967 W | 1993 W | 2019 D (no square) |
| 1968 X | 1994 X | 2020 Y (no square) |
| 1969 Y | 1995 Y | |
| 1970 Z | 1996 Z |
* Note some Hermes bags including the Evelyne and Double Sens left the factory with a "JO" stamp in a rectangle instead of O stamp in square.
HARDWARE
Authentic Hermes hardware, or metal accents on their handbags are usually plated in precious metal. The use of precious metals means that the metal on an authentic Hermes handbag will not tarnish. A small hallmark will appear next to the "Paris" stamping on gold plated hardware.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HERMES
To learn more about this iconic brand, visit our Hermes Information Guide.