Louis Vuitton Handbag Serial Number
DC were only widely used after the 1990's. The DC was meant for the use of Louis Vuitton employees internally to identify their own handbags. Not for authenticity purposes. Not all handbags with serial numbers are authentic and not all handbags without a serial number are fake. Louis Vuitton made in the early 80's had three or four digits only. Learn from the experts how to authenticate your Louis Vuitton and how to spot a fake. Luggage and rare limited edition pieces) do not have serial numbers. Location and date for a Louis Vuitton handbag, not to verify it's authenticity.
When you are shopping for a pre-owned Louis Vuitton, one of the first things you’ll want to look for in the listing is the date code. Unlike other designer brands like Chanel or Gucci, Louis Vuitton is unique in that each bag is marked with specific information about exactly where and when it was produced.This information is an essential first step in authenticating a Louis Vuitton. While oftentimes very confusing to research and understand, date codes are actually very simple to understand when you have all the information in one complete source. That’s why I’ve created and shared my Louis Vuitton Date Code Bible. Anyone who is trying to determine if their Louis Vuitton is real, or just wanted to know where and when their Louis Vuitton was made – should absolutely bookmark this all-encompassing Louis Vuitton date code guide.What is the Meaning of a Date Code on a Louis VuittonThe date code on a Louis Vuitton tells the country and date of origin for a bag. Depending on the year of production the date code will consist of a different variation of letters and/or numbers.
While all Louis Vuitton bags have date codes it alone does not tell you if a bag is authentic. What is Important About A Louis Vuitton Date CodeDeciphering the date code of a Louis Vuitton is always my first step in authenticating a bag.
Before I even start to look at the bag itself I want to know the history of the bag. Everything else I look at from that point on will be framed from the point of view of the date code. What year is the bag? Where is supposed to be made? If it’s made in France, does the trademark heat stamp correspond? Was that bag even produced in that country?
Does the production characters of the bag match that year? These are just a few of the first questions that will need to be framed in the context of the date code.So how do you read a Louis Vuitton date code?
How to Read A Louis Vuitton Date CodeDate Code Formats By YearDate Codes Pre-1980s: French Company. No date code (stamp only)These bags are now considered vintage Louis Vuitton. Unlike their modern predecessors, their identification markings follow a completely different set of rules that modern bags. While you might come across a Louis Vuitton with no date code and instantly hope that it’s vintage you’ll still need to closely examine the item to ensure that it still fits within the checklist to authenticate a Louis Vuitton. While the massive growth of the counterfeit market boomed shortly after these bags were produced, there are still newer counterfeits that have been made to specifically look vintage and have corresponding fake date codes to match.Date Codes in the 1980s: FormatSample3 numbers YYM.
8310 TH is October 1983With global economic conditions supporting the growth of the counterfeit market that followed on the heels of Louis Vuitton brand growth, a variety of date code changes took place in the 1980’s. With a variety of date codes bags from this decade prove more challenging to authenticate.
When buying a pre-owned Louis Vuitton from the 1980’s you’ll have quite a bit more legwork in ensuring that the date code formatting as well as the information the date code relays all correctly coincide with the timeframe and country of origin for the bag.Date Codes in the 1990s: FormatSample2 letters 4 numbers LL MYMY. TH 3077 is 37th week of 2007After almost two decades of one date code formatting, Louis Vuitton again changed things up. With just a subtle variation they started tracking by week instead of the month. This allowed for them to keep their standard formatting but break their production labeling out into 52 weeks instead of 12 weeks. What that means for the date codes is more variety and a more detailed view of when your bag was produced. Instead of knowing that your bag was made in Spain in December, you can now know that your bag was made in the 51st week of that year. Pretty cool right?
How many other brands label the date of origin on the bag down to a precise 7-day window!DATE CODE BY COUNTRYTracking the country of origin on your Louis Vuitton is done by tracking two simple letters. Unlike the date of origin, there are many more exceptions to country codes which can consequently lead to novice mistakes when trying to spot a fake Louis Vuitton date code. While not an exhausting list, here are the date codes and the country of origin they typically represent a Louis Vuitton handbag.
DI, FA (also Italy)GermanyLP, OLKnown Exceptions: As with any good rule there are always exceptions. Take for example the code SD.
Depending on the year of origin SD would represent France or San Dimas (city in California, USA ). Bags produced after 1995 should say SD with a marking for U.S.A. CA doesn’t represent California or San Dimas but instead is generally Spain but there has been Vernis made in France in 1999What About a Louis Vuitton With No Date CodeCan a Louis Vuitton have no date code?
Yes, but it’s rare. I have a Louis Vuitton trunk from 1933 and it’s code tell me exactly where, when and who purchased the trunk almost 100 years ago! With that in mind, it is highly unlikely the questionable brand new looking Neverfull you’re looking at on Poshmark is real. However, although unlikely it’s not impossible. The two most common causes of a Louis Vuitton to have no date code are.
Re-lining – When you completely replace the interior lining of your Louis Vuitton. In some cases, depending on the style, Louis Vuitton might have concealed the date code inside the new lining. Most of the time this is not the case but I have seen it done before on specialty bags and challenging relining.When you bag is relined you’ll typically get a new date code to replace the old one. Some of the date codes seen on re-lined Louis Vuitton includes: Re Lined CodeCountryDK 4077FranceDK 2907FranceDK 1068FranceOKUSA. Rubbed Off – While very unlikely on a 2012 Speedy or brand new Pochette metis, there are cases where a date code “rubs off” or is no longer visible. These are rare exceptions and most commonly seen on wallets, Vernis and generally only on vintage items.
In most cases, when you come across a piece with no date code, you’re either not looking closely enough or are in the presence of a fake Louis Vuitton.The Bottom LineFake bags can still display real date codes which make it challenging to tell if your bag is real or fake by looking at the date code alone. One of the most common questions I get is, “Can you tell me if date code SD5007 is real?” The answer to that question has nothing to do with the bag that person is trying to authenticate. The date code can be accurate (let’s face it, it’s not that hard for forgers to know how to fake the numbers) so your bag might still be fake.
Consider finding out your bag has a valid date code just the first step in completing a Louis Vuitton Authentication Checklist. Erin March 4, 2018 at 8:01 pmHi Betsy. First off,I just love reading about your love for Louis Vuitton. A very interesting piece has just come into my possession. I’m having a very difficult time authenticating it. I think it may be from the late 1800s but it may also be an early counterfeit. It has two sets of numbers.
One set inside and one set on the brass lock on the outside. There are no letters. The briefcase looks like it was customized to hold very specific objects and even has a few tools in it,specifically what looks like a crochet hook with Louis Vuitton stamped on it. I do so hope you could tell me more about this very curious piece.
Thank you.- ES. Betsy May 12, 2018 at 7:53 pmHello and congratulations on your new flower tote!
It is absolutely correct that date codes are not always visible. Occasionally the date code can be sewn into the lining but most often for microfiber lined bags the date code is stamped right onto the microfiber.
Buying directly from Louis Vuitton is a very safe bet to ensure that the bag is authentic. In the cases of customers who are looking to purchase a pre-owned Louis Vuitton getting the bag authenticated is one of the only ways to know all the nuances of real versus fake Louis Vuitton across all the styles and all the years of production. Enjoy that new beautiful bag!. By School is back in full swing and we are trying to get back in the habit of weekday routines. With the sun setting earlier, weather cooling down and earlier bedtimes our summertime routine of figuring out dinner on the fly doesn't cut it in the fall. Luckily we already have a dinner time solution, HelloFresh. We discovered at this exact time last year and have fallen in love with their easy to make recipes, fresh ingredients, and doorstep delivery.
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We have to give it to brands like Louis Vuitton – one, for creating legendary pieces, and two, for the efforts they put in to uniquely ratify their merchandise. Ironically, LV is one of the most counterfeited brands in the world.
Counterfeiting is also so rampant because most of us (read #louisvuittonlovers and #louisvuittondreamers) cannot distinguish between a fake and an original. We are also oblivious to the fact that LVs never go on sale and other little details (like stolen or damaged products are not resold locally) that are supposed to make a product a Louis Vuitton (.cringes, and regrets all the shopping from Chinatown). Yes, I had no clue either and lived with that regret for a long time. There’s this and a lot more to know about ensuring you get an authentic Louis Vuitton. Read on to find out all about it. How To Know If You Have An Authentic Louis Vuitton. Louis Vuitton uses the best materials of the finest quality, which is quite apparent.
So, when you look at a bag and know that something is off, it must be. Trust your gut. If you are purchasing from an online retailer, it’s quite a tricky situation, so do not pay in full unless you get hold of the bag. Ask for more pictures.
The signature materials are Monogram canvas, Damier Ebene, and Damier Azur, which are all perfect canvases for handbags because they are waterproof, durable, and can be cleaned easily. Louis Vuitton Empreinte leather was introduced in 2010, and was an instant hit. Monogram Vernis Leather, Electric Leather, Damier Carbon are all additions to the classics. So, if you are buying from a retailer and want to know if it is legit merchandise, ask these questions. You’d have your answer. Hardware.
Inspecting the hardware is the easiest way to figure out if a product is fake because you will know if the zipper, etc., are made of plastic or other fiber materials and coated with gold color. Plus, the brand name is embossed on it, which counterfeit editions fail to duplicate because they cannot achieve that kind of precision with the materials they use, and also don’t have the technology to do so. Also, Louis Vuitton uses hardware of the highest quality, which is invariably strong, heavy, and sturdy. Other details like the cut of the D-rings to fit the specific hardware that sits perfectly on the leather interlocks without allowing too much space for movement are unique characteristics of the brand and its bags. Date Code. The newest of its collection goes like this – two letters, followed by four digits. For example, FL2079 – where FL stands for the factory it was manufactured at in the United States; the first and 3rd numbers represent the week (25th week) it was manufactured, while the second and fourth numbers represent the year, which is 2009.Before 2007, it used to be two letters followed by the month of manufacturing and year.
The first and third letters represented the month, and the second and fourth represent the year. So, FA1102 would mean it was made in a factory in Switzerland, in October 2012. The early 1980s – numbers preceded the letters – anywhere between three to four numbers followed by two letters.
So, if the code goes 8211CA – it means that it was manufactured in November 1982 in a factory in Spain.However, a lot of knockoffs might try and randomly replicate this information, so doubly check if the condition of the bag, the design, model, series, and hardware are all in sync. I know it might sound like too much work, but hey, if you are investing on these, and not walking into an LV store or dealer, you gotta do what you gotta do. StitchesStitches on LV bags are even, regular, and consistent. Even at the crevices of the handle tabs, the number of stitches on the bag are exact on both the sides of the handles.
If the finish of the stitches looks sloppy, count them on either side, and that will give you a clear picture.Other interesting trivia – if you look closely, you can easily spot a fake. The tail of the letter ‘L’ is short.
The letter ‘O’ is quite rounded. The letters in “Ts” should be so close to each other that they look like they are touching each other. LV bags are rumored to be made of vinyl, but they are not, it has to be pure leather.
Louis Vuitton original merchandise never goes on sale. So, unless they are pre-owned or from an older series being sold by a seller, do not trust the reduced prices. Even then, you need to authenticate the bag first. Louis Vuitton is also known to burn all rejected merchandise, so be wary of that too. The interior Louis Vuitton logo is embossed inside your handbag – it is clear, concise and nearly perfect. A lot of fake sellers are given away here. Contrary to popular belief, LV bags have upside down symbols in some of their models – like Papillons, Speedy styles, etc.
Louis Vuitton Wallet Serial Number
Louis Vuitton bags are made with a single big canvas without seams anywhere, not even at the bottom of the bags. However, there are some pieces that are made of a separate canvas, and they have the upside down symbols.
Louis Vuitton bags, suitcases or any other merchandise do not come with tags like other brand products. They are slid into little pockets inside the bag. Louis Vuitton bags are made in France, USA, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Spain. Never trust a seller promising to sell the latest collection that has not been released. That’s a big red flag.Expert’s Answers For Readers’ QuestionsDo all LV bags have a serial number?No, they have date codes.
LV bags do not have serial numbers, and that is what puts them apart from a lot of brands, plus it is easy to identify a fake. They have date codes, which follow a nomenclature that cannot be messed with. The date code should be aligned with the ‘Made In (country)” tag. So, if the date code says SA (Italy), the tag cannot say Made in France or Spain.What is the date code?Date codes are unique manufacturing codes about products of brands. These help customers authenticate bags if they are not directly purchasing from Louis Vuitton stores or a very trusted reseller.How can I authenticate a Louis Vuitton bag if I’m buying it online?Ask your seller to share pictures, and a lot of them. Now that you know how to spot a fake Louis Vuitton, insist on their sharing photos of some of the most intricate details – usually, the stitches, the shade of the canvas, the embossing of the logo, handles, hardware, tag, logo or monogram.
They are quite telling if you look closely. And, when your gut tells you that something is not right, it probably isn’t.What if my Louis Vuitton bag does not have a date code?Some of the older versions do not have date codes, and on some old materials, the date codes may have faded out, so, look for other details to validate it.So you think all of this is too much to know? Well, you will be thankful someday. Try and get some of your basics right and do not fall for a fake. For, an LV addict knows a fake when she sees one.
Have you ever fallen into a trap like this? Or, do you have any other authenticating hacks? Let us know by dropping in a text in the comment section below.Banner Image Credits: Recommended Articles:.
After working in Marketing and Business Development for a few years, Pratima Ati jumped ship to pursue two things she loved – fashion and writing. She’s now a full-time Fashion & Lifestyle writer and has never looked back ever since. She sleeps early, reads often, and when she can't, she finally gives a closure to all the characters living in her drafts.
Sometimes, they pass off as poetry too! That, and her training in Indian classical music and playing (learning) the veena keep her sane, civil, and bearable.