The Definitive Hermès Blind Stamp & Year Guide (1945–Present)

A Hermès blind stamp is a heat-stamped code embossed directly into the leather of Hermès bags and accessories that reveals the year of manufacture.

What do the different shapes and letters in Hermès blind stamps mean?

The shapes and letters in a Hermès blind stamp form a date code that identifies the year a specific leather item was manufactured. Hermès organizes these year codes into distinct eras using geometric shapes. Plain letters with no surrounding shape represent the years 1945 through 1970. A circle enclosing a single letter denotes the years 1971 through 1996. A square enclosing a single letter identifies bags crafted between 1997 and 2014. From 2015 onward, Hermès removed the geometric shapes entirely and transitioned to a modernized format using unshaped letters.

Complete Hermès Blind Stamp Year Timeline (1945–Present)

The Hermès blind stamp timeline categorizes every production year into distinct eras defined by geometric shapes and sequential letters.

Year	Stamp Letter	Stamp Era
1945	A	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1946	B	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1947	C	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1948	D	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1949	E	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1950	F	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1951	G	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1952	H	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1953	I	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1954	J	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1955	K	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1956	L	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1957	M	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1958	N	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1959	O	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1960	P	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1961	Q	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1962	R	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1963	S	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1964	T	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1965	U	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1966	V	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1967	W	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1968	X	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1969	Y	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1970	Z	Plain Letter (No Shape)
1971	A	Circle
1972	B	Circle
1973	C	Circle
1974	D	Circle
1975	E	Circle
1976	F	Circle
1977	G	Circle
1978	H	Circle
1979	I	Circle
1980	J	Circle
1981	K	Circle
1982	L	Circle
1983	M	Circle
1984	N	Circle
1985	O	Circle
1986	P	Circle
1987	Q	Circle
1988	R	Circle
1989	S	Circle
1990	T	Circle
1991	U	Circle
1992	V	Circle
1993	W	Circle
1994	X	Circle
1995	Y	Circle
1996	Z	Circle
1997	A	Square
1998	B	Square
1999	C	Square
2000	D	Square
2001	E	Square
2002	F	Square
2003	G	Square
2004	H	Square
2005	I	Square
2006	J	Square
2007	K	Square
2008	L	Square
2009	M	Square
2010	N	Square
2011	O	Square
2012	P	Square
2013	Q	Square
2014	R	Square
2015	T	Modern Blind Letter (No Shape)
2016	X	Modern Blind Letter (No Shape)
2017	A	Modern Blind Letter (No Shape)
2018	C	Modern Blind Letter (No Shape)
2019	D	Modern Blind Letter (No Shape)
2020	Y	Modern Blind Letter (No Shape)
2021	Z	Modern Blind Letter (No Shape)
2022	U	Modern Blind Letter (No Shape)
2023	B	Modern Blind Letter (No Shape)
2024	W	Modern Blind Letter (No Shape)

Where to locate blind stamps on Hermès bags

Hermès craftsmen place blind stamps in specific, discreet areas that change depending on the bag model and the year of production. When authenticating a piece or reviewing macro photos, look in these exact locations:

• Birkin and Kelly bags (Pre-2015): The blind stamp is located on the reverse side of the front leather closure strap. For example, Hermès Kelly and Birkin bags from these eras typically carry their stamps on the back of these front straps.
• Birkin and Kelly bags (2015–Present): Hermès moved the stamp to the interior left gusset, near the top edge of the leather.
• Constance bags: The blind stamp is embossed on the interior side panel, typically hidden near the top stitching.
• Evelyne bags: The blind stamp sits securely under the leather tab that connects the shoulder strap hardware to the main body of the bag.

Shoes and footwear follow a different marking system entirely, with sizing and brand identification typically found on the insole and interior lining rather than utilizing a dated handbag blind stamp.

Craftsman IDs and specialty Hermès stamps

Craftsman IDs and specialty Hermès stamps are additional markings placed alongside the date code to signify the specific artisan, special client orders, and exotic materials used in production.

• Craftsman ID: A sequence of alphanumeric characters stamped next to the year code identifying the specific artisan or workshop bench.
• Horseshoe (HSS): A tiny horseshoe stamp denotes a Special Order bag customized specifically for a top-tier Hermès client.
• Shooting Star: A star stamp indicates the piece was crafted by a Hermès artisan for their personal use.
• Caret (^): Identifies Crocodile Porosus, farmed primarily in Australia and Southeast Asia.
• Equal Sign (=): Identifies Crocodile Niloticus or Varanus Salvator Lizard.
• Two Dots (··): Identifies Alligator Mississippiensis.
• Dash (-): Identifies Varanus Niloticus Lizard.

Why knowing the year of a Hermès blind stamp is important when buying vintage pieces

Knowing the year of a Hermès blind stamp is critical when buying vintage pieces because it confirms that the bag's hardware, leather type, and color correctly align with the production standards of that specific era. Hermès regularly introduces and discontinues specific leather dyes and hardware finishes. A blind stamp allows a collector to verify that a stated vintage color was genuinely in production during the stamped year. Additionally, collectors use the year stamp to hunt for distinct production runs known for exceptional leather batches or rare hardware configurations that are no longer available in modern boutiques.

Does the blind stamp provide clues about where or how the Hermès item was made?

Additional markings in a Hermès blind stamp can identify the workshop or artisan involved in the item's creation.

How to tell if a Hermès item is authentic by checking its blind stamp

You can tell if a Hermès item is authentic by verifying that the blind stamp's typography, depth, and placement flawlessly match the established specifications for that exact year and model. Counterfeiters routinely press the stamp too deeply into the leather, use incorrect font weights, or place the stamp in an incorrect location for the purported year. True authentication requires examining how the stamp interacts with the leather grain. Luxnicy has the professional knowledge and with the authentication tools and the Entrupy authentication service, ensures that every blind stamp aligns flawlessly with the hardware, stitching, and leather characteristics of an authentic Hermès piece.

FAQ

How can I use the blind stamp to verify the value and rarity of a Hermès accessory?

You can use the blind stamp to verify the value and rarity of a Hermès accessory by cross-referencing the year and specialty marks against known limited-edition releases. Bags carrying a Horseshoe stamp (HSS) command significant premiums due to their custom, one-of-a-kind nature. Similarly, finding a highly sought-after discontinued color matched with an older circle or square stamp confirms the piece's vintage rarity and elevates its market value.

Do all Hermès bags have a blind stamp?

Most Hermès leather goods feature a blind stamp, but certain very early vintage bags or small leather accessories may lack them. On heavily used vintage pieces, the heat-stamped impression can also wear down over time until it is no longer legible to the naked eye.

Is a Hermès bag fake if the blind stamp is missing?

A Hermès bag is not automatically fake if the blind stamp is missing. While modern bags will always have one, vintage items occasionally missed the stamping process during production, or the stamp has simply rubbed off through decades of leather conditioning and wear.

Why did Hermès change the location of the blind stamp in 2015?

Hermès changed the location of the blind stamp on Birkin and Kelly bags in 2015 to protect the stamp from natural wear and to make counterfeiting more difficult. Moving the code from the back of the closure strap to the interior gusset shields the embossing from constant friction and exposure.

Can a blind stamp alone prove a Hermès bag is authentic?

A blind stamp alone cannot prove a Hermès bag is authentic. Sophisticated counterfeiters can replicate the letters and shapes, which is why the stamp must be evaluated alongside the leather grain, the precision of the saddle stitching, the weight of the hardware, and the exact font kerning.