Hermes Bag Date Stamp Reference Guide

Hermes date stamp, also known as date code, serial code, blind stamp or H stamp, is a tiny embossing mark found on Hermes bag, wallet and other leather goods/accessories such as bracelet, choker, watch strap and clochette holder. The date stamp which consists of an alphabet, either with or without a framing shape (circle or square), indicates age of an item. This post provides you a quick reference on Hermes date stamp and the corresponding year of production.

Hermes did not frame its date stamp from year 1945 to 1970. Subsequently, there were three changes to the presentation format of date stamp which happened in 1971, 1997 and 2014. The first and second changes in 1971 and 1997 respectively were systematic cyclical changes after the 26 alphabets, A to Z, were fully used up. The reason for Hermes to randomized the alphabetical order since late 2014 is to fight against counterfeits, see table below.

All of the images here were taken from my own sources that are either available-for-sale or sold. Due to the very limited number of item that I have, I was not able to provide all forms of date stamp and neither I can share every single image that I have taken here. Some date stamps can be very difficult to read and hence the blurry images. If you are intending to purchase high value Hermes handbags or accessories, protect yourselves by engaging an independent authenticator. Lollipuff does provide authentication services at a very affordable price, so check it out.

Not all Hermes leather goods come with a date stamp because some leather parts are too small to have embossment. Click at the links below to see Hermes fashion accessories that do not have a date stamp (the list is non-exhaustive).

• Hermes Jumbo Leather Hook Bracelet/Choker
• Hermes Interlocking Leather Bracelet/Choker
• Hermes Cadena Leather Bracelet/Choker

I hope this table provides you a clear look on how Hermes date stamp on bag and leather goods has evolved throughout the last eight decades. I will be updating this post from time to time.

No shape	Circle	Square	No shape	Alphabet
1945	1971	1997	2017	A
1946	1972	1998	–	B
1947	1973	1999	2018	C
1948	1974	2000	2019	D
1949	1975	2001	–	E
1950	1976	2002	–	F
1951	1977	2003	–	G
1952	1978	2004	–	H
1953	1979	2005	–	I
1954	1980	2006	–	J
1955	1981	2007	–	K
1956	1982	2008	–	L
1957	1983	2009	–	M
1958	1984	2010	–	N
1959	1985	2011	–	O
1960	1986	2012	–	P
1961	1987	2013	–	Q
1962	1988	Early 2014	Late 2014	R
1963	1989	–	–	S
1964	1990	–	2015	T
1965	1991	–	–	U
1966	1992	–	–	V
1967	1993	–	–	W
1968	1994	–	2016	X
1969	1995	–	2020	Y
1970	1996	–	–	Z
No shape	Circle	Square	No shape	Alphabet