The Hermès date stamp (often called the blind stamp) tells you roughly when a bag was made, and it is one of the first things an authenticator checks. The system has changed five times since 1945, so knowing which era a stamp belongs to is essential — a format that is correct for one decade is a red flag in another. Here is the complete reference, and how to read it.
The Hermès date stamp system by era
| Era | Years | Date stamp format |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-war | Before 1945 | No date stamp used |
| Era 1 | 1945–1970 | A single letter, no shape (A = 1945 through Z = 1970, sequential) |
| Era 2 | 1971–1996 | A letter enclosed in a circle |
| Era 3 | 1997–2014 | A letter enclosed in a square |
| Era 4 | 2015–2021 | A letter with no shape, within a longer craftsman string (format L LL NNN LL); letters assigned non-sequentially |
| Era 5 | 2021 onward | No visible date code — the “Microcheck” system uses an embedded NFC chip |
The alphabet cycles roughly every 26 years, which is why the surrounding shape (or its absence) matters so much: a plain letter “J” could be 1954, and a circled “J” a different year entirely. Always read the letter and the shape together, then cross-check against a current year-by-year reference.
Where to find the stamp
It is a small heat-pressed mark — blind-embossed (colourless) or, in some periods, in gold or silver foil — usually found on an interior strap, under the front flap, or near the closure. On newer bags it sits within a longer string that also encodes the craftsman.
Red flags on a date stamp
- The wrong format for the claimed era (e.g. a square stamp on a bag sold as 1980s)
- Inconsistent or incorrect font
- Uneven or overly deep pressing
- A stamp that does not match the hardware, leather or construction
The golden rule
A date stamp never proves authenticity on its own. Counterfeiters copy stamps; what they struggle to fake is the whole bag. Use the stamp as one signal alongside the stitching, hardware and leather — see our full authentication guide, real vs fake Birkin tells, and hardware guide. For anything valuable, use a professional authentication service before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
How do I read an Hermès date stamp?
Identify the letter and whether it sits in a circle (1971–1996), a square (1997–2014) or no shape (1945–1970 and 2015–2021), then match it to a year-by-year chart. Bags from 2021 on have no visible code.
Where is the Hermès date stamp located?
Usually a small heat-pressed stamp on an interior strap, under the front flap or near the closure; exact placement varies by era.
Do newer Hermès bags have a date stamp?
From around 2021, Hermès moved to a “Microcheck” NFC-chip system with no visible date code.
Does the date stamp prove a bag is real?
No. It is one signal among many and must be consistent with the hardware, stitching and construction. A stamp alone never proves authenticity.
