FAKE IS NOT FASHION. FAKE IS FRAUD

Louis Vuitton and Chanel

Louis Vuitton does not have serial numbers. Louis Vuitton has "date codes" to identify the location and date

of manufacture. 

These letters/numbers DO NOT INDICATE AUTHENTICITY.

Most date codes are a combination of letters and numbers. The letters indicated the country of manufacture,

the numbers indicate the month/year of the production date. The format of the date codes are as follows:

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Pre-1980s:

French Company - no date code (tyvek-like tag only)
Saks Fifth Avenue - no date code (stamp only)
Fabric Design - no date code (stamp only)

1980s:
3 numbers YYM - 821 is January 1982
4 numbers YYMM - 8312 is December 1983
2 letters 3 numbers LL YYM - TH 863 is March 1986
3 numbers 2 letters YYM LL - 865 TH is May 1986
2 letters 4 numbers LL YYMM - TH 8812 is December 1988
4 numbers 2 letters YYMM LL - 8910 TH is October 1989

1990s: 2 letters 4 numbers LL MYMY - TH 1920 is December 1990

2007: 2 letters 4 numbers LL WYWY - TH 3077 is 37th week of 2007

DATE CODE BY COUNTRY

France: A0, A1, A2, AA, AN, AR, AS, AX, BA, BJ, BU, CT, DU, ET, FL, LW, MB, MI, NO, RA, RI, SD (also USA), SL, SN, SP, SR, TH, VI, V.I.
 

USA: FC, FH, OS, SD (also France), LA

Spain: CA, LB, LM, LO, LW

Italy: BO, CE, FO, RE, MA, RC, RO, SA, TD

Switzerland: DI, FA

Germany: LP

NOTE:
BA Mostly France but there have been some LE pieces made in Spain
CA Mostly Spain but there have been some Vernis made in France in 1999
FC USA bags made in 1980's
LA USA bags which are largely discontinued (have appeared on Boulogne 30, Montsouris Moyen, Papillon 26, Speedy 30, Pochette Orsay)
SD France bags prior to ~1995 until opening of San Dimas when SD became USA

DATE CODE BY LINE TYPE

A2 (France) Mono Canvas, Epi
AA (France) Mono Canvas, Vernis, Damier Ebene
AR (France) Mono Canvas, CB, Damier Canvas, Epi, LV Cup
AS (France) Suhali, Epi, Vernis, Mini Lin
AX (France) Mono Canvas
BA (France) Mat Mono, Vernis, CB
BJ (France) Mat Mono, Epi, Vernis
BU (France) Mono Canvas
CA (Spain) Mono Canvas, CB, Epi, Mini Mono, Vernis, MC, Damier Canvas, Mat Mono,
Damier Azur, Suhali, Glace, Groom
CB (?) Mono Ambre
CE (Italy) Vernis, Damier Sauvage
CT (France) Mono Canvas, Cerises, Mono Groom, Damier Canvas
DU (France) Mono Canvas, Mono Mirage, Damier Canvas
ET (France) Mono Canvas
FC (USA) Mono Canvas
FA (Switzerland) Monte Carlo Loafer
FH (USA) Mono Canvas
FL (France) Mono Canvas, MC, Damier Canvas, Mono Denim, Epi
FO (Italy) Damier Lune,Paris
JA (France) Patent sandal from 2009 RTW
KU (?) Taiga desk set
LA (USA) Monogram
LM (Spain) Mat Mono, Vernis, Damier Canvas, Suhali
LW (Spain) Vernis
MA (Italy) Balmoral Heels
MI (France) Mono Canvas, Mini Mono, Vernis, Mat Mono, Damier Canvas, Epi, Damier
Azur, Mono Dentelle, MC, Damier Centenaire, Mono Perfo, Cerises
MB (France) Mono Canvas, Damier Canvas, Mono Charms, Mono Motard
RA (France) Mono Canvas, Damier Canvas
RC (Italy) Mono Denim, Nimbus
RI (France) Vernis, Tobago
SD (USA & France) Mono Canvas, MC, Damier Canvas, Damier Azur
SL (France) Mono Canvas, MC
SN (France) MC Wish Bracelet, Mini Mono Wish Bracelet, Vernis Wish Bracelet
SP (France) Mono Canvas, Mini Mono, Damier Canvas, Epi, Mono Denim, MC, Cerises,
Damier Azur, Mono Perfo, Mirage, Mini Lin
SR (France) Mono Canvas, Mini Mono, MC, Mono Satin, Epi, Vernis
TH (France) CB, MC, Vernis, Mat Mono, Suhali, Damier Canvas, Mono Canvas, Damier
Azur, Mono Mini, Epi, Mono Leopard
VI (France) Mono Canvas, Mini Mono, Vernis, Damier Canvas, Epi, Mono Denim, MC,
Damier Azur
VX (?) Mono garment bag born in April 1988

DATE CODES SEEN ON SO ITEMS
AAS 11339 (France) SO Epi item
DU… (France) SO Damier Looping
AAS… (France) Mono wallet

DATE CODES SEEN ON RE-LINED ITEMS
DK… (USA)
DK 1047 (France)
DK 4077 (France)
DK 2907 (France)
DK 1068

Chanel on the other hand DOES have serial numbers. However, most fakes have have these numbers too. So, know your source or have it checked on PurseForum.Com.

Authentic Chanel handbags come with authenticity cards embossed with a serial number. The serial number matches the serial number appearing on a sticker placed somewhere within the handbag’s interior lining. From the mid 1980s on, the serial number sticker was protected by a clear tape with hologram security feature. Both the sticker and hologram design varied with the manufacturing date:

Mid 1980s to early 1990s. Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape featuring light holographic Chanel logos.

Early to mid 1990s. Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape featuring holographic Chanel logos.

Mid to late 1990s. Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker with horizontal lines covered with clear tape featuring holographic Chanel logos.

Late 1990s to 2005. Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker with two gold Chanel logos and diagonal cut lines. Sticker covered with clear tape featuring holographic gold specks.

2005 and newer. Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker with two gold Chanel logos and diagonal cut lines. Sticker covered with clear tape featuring black “CHANEL” text and holographic gold specks.

Updated information regarding Authenticity Numbers:

8-digits----

13XXXXXX series - 2009
12XXXXXX series - 2008 - 2009
11XXXXXX series - 2006 to 2008
10XXXXXX series - 2005 to 2006

7-digits--

9XXXXXX series - 2004 to 2005
8XXXXXX series - 2003 to 2004
7XXXXXX series - 2002 to 2003
6XXXXXX series - 2000 to 2002
5XXXXXX series - 1997 to 1999
4XXXXXX series - 1996 to 1997
3XXXXXX series - 1994 to 1996
2XXXXXX series - 1991 to 1994
1XXXXXX series - 1989 to 1991
0XXXXXX series - 1986 to 1988

Early 0XXXXXX series hologram stickers (1XXXXX to 2XXXXX) did not include the '0' on the stickers; thus, they contain a 6 digit serial number. But the authenticity cards include the '0' in front of the serial number, making it 7-digit.

Guidelines regarding the 'zero':

0 series - no hatched '0'

1 series - no hatched '0'

2 series - no hatched '0' until 27xxxxx sub series

3 series - hatched '0'

4 series - hatched '0'

5 series - hatched '0' in the early 5 sub series (50xxxxx to 51xxxxx). No hatched '0' in the mid 5 sub series (52xxxxx to 56xxxxx) until the 57xxxxx sub series when the hologram sticker changed to the present style.

6 series - hatched '0'

7 series - hatched '0'

8 series - hatched '0'

9 series - hatched '0'

10 series - hatched '0'

11 series - hatched '0'

12 series - hatched '0'

Zipper Manufacturers:

Vintage bags (engraved on front zipper slider): Eclair, 3 circle symbol, D, OPTI DMC, DMC, LAMPO symbol

Vintage bags (engraved on back zipper slider if front slider is blank): CHANEL PARIS, LAMPO

Newer bags (engraved on front zipper slider): EP, YKK

Newer bags (engraved on back zipper slider if front slider is blank): CHANEL PARIS, LAMPO
 

FAKE IS NOT FASHION. FAKE IS FRAUD