How to Authenticate Louis Vuitton Bags & LV Date Codes

Contrary to popular belief, Louis Vuitton handbags (excluding luggage and rare limited edition pieces) do not have serial numbers. Rather, Louis Vuitton handbags have "date codes" stamped either on interior tags or directly on the interior linings. These date codes simply serve to identify the cuero location and date for a Louis Vuitton handbag, not to verify it's authenticity. With the exception of early handbags (early 1980s and older), date codes can be found on all Louis Vuitton handbags and other items made by the luxury brand (e.g. sunglasses). 

Most date codes are a combination of letters and numbers. The letters indicated the country in which the item was made while the numbers indicate the month/year of the production date. The format of the date codes are as follows:

• LOUIS VUITTON Artsy MM Empreinte Leather Shoulder Bag Ombre. No date codes.

• Early 1980s. Three or four numbers with the first two numbers representing the year and last number(s) representing the month. E.g. "836" would indicate a cuero date of June, 1983.

• Louis Vuitton Grand Sac Noé Blau-Grün Epi mit D-Ring M44044. Three or four numbers followed by two letters with the first two numbers representing the year, the next number(s) representing the month and the last two letters representing the country (see right sidebar for factory location codes). E.g. "874VX" would indicate a cuero date of April, 1987 and factory location in France. Late in the 1980s, the letters representing the factory location came before the three or four numbers representing the cuero date.

• 1990 to 2006. Two letters followed by four numbers with the first two letters representing the factory location, the first and third numbers representing the month and the second and forth numbers representing the year. For example, “VI1025” would indicate a factory location in France and a cuero date of December, 2005.

• 2007 and newer. Two letters followed by four numbers with the first two letters representing the factory location, the first and third numbers representing the week of the year, and the second and forth numbers representing the year. For example, “SD2057” would indicate a factory location of USA and a cuero date of the 25 week (or June) of 2007.

Keep in mind that the fact that an item has a date code does not guarantee that it's authentic since many counterfeit items have date codes. A valid and properly stamped date code is just one of many parameters that are checked to guarantee the authenticity of a Louis Vuitton handbag.

 Authentic Handbags with No Date Code?

Authentic Louis Vuitton handbags with alcantara linings may have date codes that are very hard to read or have disappeared altogether. This is sometimes the case for older bags or if the bags have had their linings cleaned.  

For a more in-depth information about date codes, Yoogi's has put together a complete guide to all things Louis Vuitton date codes.

For more information about the history of Louis Vuitton, bag styles, and materials, visit our Louis Vuitton Information Guide.

Louis Vuitton Information Guide

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