What Hermes Symbols and Date Codes Mean

Hermes is not so secretive when it comes to the production of their products, they actually inform their clients of how they source their exotic skins. This level of transparency is how Hermes remains the elite fashion house in the luxury industry. Hermes uses codes, symbols to date and brand their bags so the consumer is knowledgeable about their purchase. For a secretive brand that likes to play games *cough* getting a Birkin *cough* they do have full transparency for their consumer. 

Date Codes:

Date codes are fairly consistent symbols brand to brand. They inform the customer on what year the bag is made and can often confirm the color or leather of the bag. Hermes date codes can be tricky and have slight variations to throw off counterfeits. The date code can be found in a specific area of the bag, and vary in position based on the year. Birkin and Kelly the date code is usually on the exterior arm or interior panel of the bag. However, a Constance date code is found in the interior middle panel. 

Here are the date codes for Hermes: 

Exotic Leather Stamps: 

Alligator Mississippiensis: Uses a square symbol 

Crocodile Porosus: Uses a Caret 

Crocodile Niloticus: Uses a double dot 

Varanus Niloticus Lizard: uses a dash 

Varanus Salvator Lizard: uses an equal sign

Hermès HSS (custom): uses a horseshoe

Hermès Craftsman's Personal Product: uses a shooting star

Hermès Sale & Employee Stamp (a discounted rate): uses an “S”

Hermès Craftsman’s Code: A symbol to identify which craftsman made this piece these symbols vary can be an omega, numbers or letters

Bag Enthusiast, have you noticed these symbols on your Hermes purchases?

Image Credits: Purse Blog