UPDATED Nov 5th, 2018
There's a lot to say about CHANEL when it comes to Authenticity. There are thousands of websites, with many and many suggestions, guidelines and standards. We want to try and focus on single aspects, trying to help as much as we can, when it comes to online purchases.
Authentic Chanel handbags from the mid 1980s on come with authenticity cards embossed with a serial number (pictured on right).
The serial number matches the serial number appearing on a sticker placed somewhere within the handbag’s interior lining. The serial number sticker has Chanel logos and was protected by a clear tape with hologram security feature from approximately 2000-on.
The sticker, Chanel logo, and hologram design varied with the manufacturing date.
From 2011 to 2005, The stickers presented Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker, covered with clear tape with 2 CHANEL logos. "X" cut-lines prevent sticker from beige removed without damage. CHANEL appears on the right side of the stcker. Dark line appears on the left side, while Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
From 2005 to 1997, the stickers were very similar, but the digits were Seven instead of Eight.
In 1997 & 1991 we will find a seven digit serial number printed on a white sticker with "CHANEL" logos (CC's). Some Opaque film covers the sticker.
In 1991 & 1989 we will find a seven digit serial number printed on a white sticker with Chanel Logos and left-sided cut-out. Some Opaque film covers the sticker.
In 1989 & 1986 we will find seven digit serial number printed on white sticker wth "CHANEL" logos and left-sided cut-out. Opaque film covers sticker. The early serial numbers (starting with a 1 or 2) did not have a leading "0". Therefore, these were six-digit serial numbers. Also, the sticker was longer than the stickers produced after.
This post wants to point out CHANEL date codes opposed to the bags release years, starting from the mid '80s. CHANEL bags released before 2005 had SEVEN digit date codes. After 2005, you will find EIGHT digit date codes.
Below is a rough guide which can help you, spot-on, to give a date to the CHANEL bag you have in front:
Date Code:
|
Release Year:
|
| 23XXXXXX |
2016 to present |
| 22XXXXXX |
2016 |
| 21XXXXXX |
2015 to 2016 |
| 20XXXXXX |
2014 to 2015 |
| 19XXXXXX |
2014 |
| 18XXXXXX |
2013 to 2014 |
| 17XXXXXX |
half 2012 to 2013 |
| 16X2012XXXXX |
2012 |
| 15XXXXXX |
end of 20122 to early 2012 |
| 14XXXXXX |
2011 |
| 13XXXXXX |
2019 to 2010 |
| 12XXXXXX |
2008 to 2009 |
| 11XXXXXX |
2006 to 2008 |
| 10XXXXXX |
2005 to 2006 |
| 9XXXXXX |
2004 to 2005 |
| 8XXXXXX |
2003 to 2004 |
| 7XXXXXX |
2002 to 2003 |
| 6XXXXXX |
2000 to 2002 |
| 5XXXXXX |
1997 to 1999 |
| 4XXXXXX |
1996 to 1997 |
| 3XXXXXX |
1994 to 1996 |
| 2XXXXXX |
1991 to 1994 |
| 1XXXXXX |
1989 to 1991 |
| 0XXXXXX |
1986 to 1988 |
Here's how they look:
Serial Number References
|
Date of Manufacture
|
Style, Font and description of the number references
|
| 13XXXXXX |
2011 |
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (lateral feet) |
| 13XXXXXX |
2009 to 2010 |
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (lateral feet) |
| 12XXXXXX |
2008 to 2009 |
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (lateral feet) |
| 12XXXXXX |
2008 to 2009 |
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (lateral feet) |
| 11XXXXXX |
2006 to 2008 |
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (lateral feet) |
| 10XXXXXX |
2005 to 2006 |
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (lateral feet) |
| 9XXXXXX |
2004 to 2005 |
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (lateral feet) |
| 8XXXXXX |
2003 to 2004 |
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (lateral feet) |
| 7XXXXXXX |
2002 to 2003 |
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (lateral feet) |
| 6XXXXXX |
2000 to 2002 |
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (lateral feet) |
| 5XXXXXX |
1997 to 1999 |
0's have strikethroughs up to 51XXXXX. 0's have NO strikethroughs from 52XXXXX to 56XXXXX. 0's have strikethroughs from 57XXXXX onwards. 1's have small seifs (feet) from 57XXXXX onwards. |
| 4XXXXXX |
1996 to 1997 |
0's have strikethroughs. 1's are sans-serifs (no feet) |
| 3XXXXXX |
1994 to 1996 |
0's have strikethroughs. 1's are sans-serifs (no feet) |
| 2XXXXXX |
1991 to 1994 |
0's have strikethroughs.1's have serifs (feet) |
| 1XXXXXX |
1989 to 1991 |
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (lateral feet) |
| 0XXXXXX |
1986 to 1988 |
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (lateral feet) |
| PRE-0 - 6 digits |
1984 to 1986 |
Serial numbering used a Serif font, 1's with no feet |
Please Note: This post contains suggestions on how to try and avoide non authentic items. We try and document what we experience throughout years and years of hard work, and share with you information we think is important, which is found on the web. Chanel produced a very high variety of bags and accessories over many years. This document does not contain all this information. Some of it may be incomplete, or incorrect. If you do think any part of this post may need correction or further detiail, please do not hesistate to contact us, and we will happy to revise if necessary.
