We, of course, all know that Hermès uses codes to date their bags, but did you know that they have many other symbols that showcase different meanings?
From the species of exotic skin to a sale stamp, Hermès, known for being one of the most secretive of luxury houses, is actually the most transparent when it comes to producing their products. Unlike many other luxury houses, Hermès informs clients where they source their exotic skins from in the most elegant ways. This is why Hermès remains as the top Luxury house worldwide.
I have compiled a list of symbols below, some that we all know and some you may not know plus their meanings. This guide is extremely resourceful for those who always wondered what these symbols mean. Enjoy!
What are Hermès date stamps?
Date codes are symbols that we all know. They inform use what year our bag was made and it also helps us identify and confirm the colour and/or leather of the bag. However some years are tricky and have slight inconsistencies to throw off counterfeiters.
Where Can I Find The Date Stamp?
Each code is in a specific area on each bag and can change depending on the year. On a Birkin or Kelly, it can often be found on the bag’s exterior arm or interior panel. For a Constance, it is normally found on the middle interior panel. The list goes on and on!
Hermès Date Stamps Ordered By Year
The chart below lists the historical Hermès date stamps by year, starting in 1945.
| No Shape | Circle | Square | No Shape | Notes |
| 1945 – A | 1971 – A | 1997 – A | 2015 – T | For 2015, Hermès skipped “S” to throw off counterfeiters. |
| 1946 – B | 1972 – B | 1998 – B | 2016 – X | Hermès moved the stamp, on the Birkin & Kelly, to the interior side panel rather than on the sangles, this continued into the upcoming years. |
| 1947 – C | 1973 – C | 1999 – C | 2017 – A | |
| 1948 – D | 1974 – D | 2000 – D | 2018 – C | Hermès passed the “B” in a square to throw off counterfeiters. |
| 1949 – E | 1975 – E | 2001 – E | 2019 – D | |
| 1950 – F | 1976 – F | 2002 – F | 2020 – Y | |
| 1951 – G | 1977 – G | 2003 – G | 2021 – Z | |
| 1952 – H | 1978 – H | 2004 – H | 2022 – U | |
| 1953 – I | 1979 – I | 2005 – I | 2023 – B | |
| 1954 – J | 1980 – J | 2006 – J | 2024 – W | |
| 1955 – K | 1981 – K | 2007 – K | 2025 – 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 | In 2011, some Hermès bags, including the Evelyne and the Double Sens, left the atelier with a “JO” in a rectangle rather than a “O” in a rectangle. | |
| 1960 – P | 1986 – P | 2012 – P | ||
| 1961 – Q | 1987 – Q | 2013 – Q | ||
| 1962 – R | 1988 – R | 2014 – R | Later in the 2014 year production no longer had a surrounding shape. | |
| 1963 – S | 1989 – S | |||
| 1964 – T | 1990 – T | |||
| 1965 – U | 1991 – U | |||
| 1966 – V | 1992 – V | |||
| 1967 – W | 1993 – W | |||
| 1968 – X | 1994 – X | |||
| 1969 – Y | 1995 – Y | |||
| 1970 – Z | 1996 – Z |
Hermès Stamps Identifying Exotic Leathers
Alligator mississippiensis
The symbol used is a square (☐) next to the Hermès, Made in France logo displayed on each product.
Crocodile Porosus
The symbol used is a caret (^) next to the Hermès, Made in France logo displayed on each product.
Picture courtesy of Privé Porter.
Picture courtesy of Privé Porter.
Picture courtesy of Privé Porter.
Crocodile Niloticus
The symbol used is a double dot (··) next to the Hermès, Made in France logo displayed on each product.
Varanus Niloticus Lizard
The symbol used is a dash (-) next to the Hermès, Made in France logo displayed on each product.
Varanus Salvator Lizard
The symbol used is an equal sign (=) next to the Hermès, Made in France logo displayed on each product.
Hermès HSS (aka Horseshoe or Custom)
The symbol used is a horseshoe next to the Hermès, Made in France logo displayed on each product.
Hermès Craftsman’s Personal Product
A shooting star is the symbol used to depict that Hermès pieces were made for a Craftsman’s personal use. This symbol is next to the Hermès, Made in France logo displayed on each product.
Hermès Sale & Employee Stamp
The symbol used to depict that this Hermès product was purchased at a discounted rate is a “S” which most likely stands for “Sale”. Hermès employees, who are not craftsmen, also get this stamp – sometimes even with an extra line of numbers/letters, depending on the piece.
Hermès Craftsman’s Code
Each Hermès Craftsman will train for years to be able to perfect their craft to produce such high-quality products; they truly are artisans. Just like any great artist, they want to leave their signature on each piece they create. Next to each date code, there are symbols that make most people scratch their heads.
Sometimes, it’s an Omega symbol, numbers, extra letters, and the list could go on!
These are used so when the product is sent in for repair they can determine who was the craftsman behind each piece.
IS IT BIRKIN 35 IN NTOGO LEATHER WITH STAMP OF N 10 is it real stamp code
To be honest, that is a bit ridiculous.
You’re showing a lack of familiarity, knowledge or care about a real house that ensures its customers get the house’s authentic product rather than a Chinatown or other fake. Stick with less luxe houses; seems less problematic for you. ?
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Just curious why you think that?
huh?
What specifically are you referencing when you say “that” is ridiculous? Thx!
I know this has been discussed in the forum before, but seems there is no right answer to it.
Scored my Kelly 25 Epsom last January in FSH, was and still very happy 😀 Then I saw this post. So I looked and looked and searched… I couldn’t find ANY blind stamp. Neither on the sangles or in the inside interrior. Anyone know why? Maybe time to upgrade my lenses…
I’m in that same boat. Isn’t there a real expert who can verify the stamps. It’s not rocket science.
Nice one….
The counterfeiters will thank you.
People shopping the resale market won’t.
Actually; I am extremely grateful and you couldn’t be more wrong . Half of these counterfeiters are in drug cartels that can barely read from lack of education (which is why they are criminals) or even speak English. Do you really think they can comprehend a complex guide like this? Think again! Not to mention there are thousands of people that look to the resale market because they either can’t afford, or refuse to spend more than a certain amount on a handbag, but want to make sure they’re not getting ripped off! So if YOU are ungrateful, then speak for yourself please! And if you didn’t need this, then why are you even here??
Child, hush… ?
We would never do anything to try to aid the counterfeit market. This information exists on the web already. On top of that, many counterfeiters buy bags to deconstruct to try to reconstruct. There are plenty of other specific aspects of Hermes bags that make them authentic that we did not touch on and wouldn’t touch on.
Yes, I’ve seen some LV counterfeit bags in various shops in India, and sometimes on Facebook here in the US. These bags are so close to the real deal that it’s scary, but the price is what gives it away. In India they even have a term called “first copy”, indicating that it’s the highest quality in counterfeiting. The only reason why they have these “first copys” is due to access to the actual bags.
This information is easily accessible on the internet and is nothing new. Counterfeiters will do what they do with or without the information in this article.
Agreed, counterfeiters are all over the place and some might even have access to the real bags.
You guys are so gullible, Hermes own employees were the ones involve in creating and selling counterfeit bags I knew this and made a youtube blog in 2010, but had to remove it because my chanel was threaten with legal action. Now you read the acticle recently posted in Fashion Law
https://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/an-inside-job-the-2012-counterfeit-bust-that-put-herms-own-employees-under-the-microscope
I’ve never seen such best of their summer collection on an Hermès bag.
https://www.dallasdesignerhandbags.com/collections/hermes/
Indeed this was the best of hermes collection bags ever.
I like the guide to Hermès especially date codes. Thank you.
Thank you for the guide!
Thanks for this informative and in depth article!
I don’t know much about Hermes markings. What does the *Star* 15 PK O inside a box mean in the 2nd picture? Does O in a box mean it was manufactured in 2011? Is the *star* the artist’s own marking? How about 15 and PK?
The squared O means it was build in 2011. The star denotes the specific atelier in which the bag was crafted. The star blind stamp was quite common for 2011 built bags. As for the 15 and PK, this is probably linked to the artisan.
Some ppl say the star blind stamp stands for the bag is made by an experienced craftsman, but I really doubt.
Thanks!
Thank you for putting this together. It is quite helpful not having to search for these details.
The stitching on the HSS B25 in Azalea worries me. I’ve never seen such straight stitching on an Hermès bag.
It is sloped, check its relation to the glazed edge of the bag – definitely angled from the pull of the lock stitch.
🙂 Thank you very much for all the information!
I find it super interesting and didn’t know that there were special symbols for special leathers.
Have a very HAPPY weekend 🙂
Umm, question what part of this was modified?
What do you mean by modified? We did update the hero image with an original illustration, if that is what looks different.
Ok, that’s why it says last modified May 10th. Thank you.
I loved this article, Hermes is my favorite BAG MAKER. Yes the prices are ridiculous, yes the aura surrounding these bags is also ridiculous but the moment you get to own one you know you have a true handmade masterpiece. Taking care of them and knowing more about this symbols is also great for collectors! Thank you
Don’t forget the vintage O stamp next to “Hermes Paris” for discontinued Caiman croc pieces!
The symbol for Porosus Crocodile (^) is called a caret. A “carrot” is a root vegetable that’s very good for you.
Of course you are correct!
Carrots and Porosus Croc are both delicious!
Who am I to argue with that? Both are also great for your eye sight.
Hi! I bought an Hermes garden party (I think) from a friend. I can’t find the date code/stamp. Can someone tell me if it’s authentic?
Johnatan Paculan
1 second ago
IS IT BIRKIN 35 IN NTOGO LEATHER WITH STAMP OF square with N is it real stamp code
on my bag it has in a square GM with MM underneath any ideas ladies?
Greetings to all, little inquiry, anyone know what year and range design name, ‘S’ inside horseshoe and 322, one of each stamped on opposing lock mechanism, ladies croc suitcase, owner thinks its the holy grail of bags, said I’d check it out for them, – I’ll post more pics, thank you for any and all replies, kind regards, é
is there a number or sequence legible in the leather?
I have a hermes birkin 35 bag and need to check authenticy of it.
Hi How can I check authentication of my bag
How can I check authenticity of a bag I e had a while . It’s unused , green navy and tan ?
Can someone please tell me …What does 17A stamp stands for on a JPG bag?
I have my grandmother’s bag with stamp L and A (in a circle) – what do these mean?
Hi there. I need some help. My Hermes Evelyne PM has a date stamp that reads ´RB’ and then in a square next to it either II or 14 in the middle. Can you help please? R is 2014 but not sure. Thank you. Jenny
Has anyone ever known Hermès to use a “.” (Dot) as part of the craftsman code on a 1999 C🔲 Birkin 35?
is this legit stamp?
I saw a few bags with an Omega stamp. What does it mean? And why there are so many variation of stamp combinations? From just 2 and can go up to 8 characters? I hope someone can explain. Thank you!
Have you heard of an X stamp, underneath Hermes made in Paris, on a Constance bag? Seller says it’s an employee stamp but I thought that was an S?
Are you seeing this on one of the bag from fashionphile? I saw one, I like the color of it and was concerned about that stamp