What is a Blind Stamp?
The blind stamp—also called the date stamp or artisan stamp—is a small, discreet mark pressed into the leather of every Hermès bag. It serves multiple purposes: dating the bag, identifying the individual craftsman who made it, and providing a crucial authentication checkpoint.
Why It's Called a “Blind” Stamp
Unlike the heat-stamped “HERMÈS PARIS MADE IN FRANCE” logo that sits on the front of bags, the date stamp is pressed without ink or foil. It's subtle, often hard to see without good lighting, and designed to be discreet—hence “blind.”
This subtlety makes it both a security feature (hard to replicate correctly) and a telltale sign for authenticators.
What the Stamp Contains
Year Code
Single letter or symbol indicating the year of production
Craftsman ID
Secondary mark identifying the individual artisan
Workshop
Sometimes includes workshop location code
The Evolution of Blind Stamps
Understanding how the blind stamp system has changed over decades is crucial for authentication. Counterfeiters often get the era wrong, using modern stamps on supposedly vintage bags.
No codes or Circle symbols
Pre-blind stamp era
Circle symbols only
● ○ ⬤ (various circles)
Letters only
A = 1997, B = 1998, C = 1999
Single letters
D (2000) through K (2007)
Single letters
L (2008) through T (2015)
Alphanumeric
Y (2020), Z (2021), U (2022), B (2023), W (2024), K (2025), G (2026)
The 2015 Anomaly
In 2015, Hermès reached the end of the alphabet (excluding X and O). Instead of starting over, they introduced a new system: a letter inside a square, then a circle, then plain again. This cycling continues today.
Where to Find the Blind Stamp
The location varies by bag model, and knowing where to look is the first step in authentication.
Birkin Location
- Left side of the interior leather strap
- On the back wall of interior (some models)
- Sometimes under the interior pocket
Kelly Location
- Interior side of the back strap
- Inside the interior pocket (older models)
- On the back interior panel
⚠️ Authentication Red Flag
If a seller claims a bag is from a certain year but the stamp location doesn't match the typical placement for that era, be suspicious. Hermès has been remarkably consistent with stamp placement within each model line.
Complete Year Reference Chart
Bookmark this section. It contains every Hermès year code from 1997 to present.
| Year | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | G | Current year - letter only |
| 2025 | K | Letter only, no shape |
| 2024 | W | |
| 2023 | B | Cycled back (no square) |
| 2022 | U | |
| 2021 | Z | No O codes used |
| 2020 | Y | |
| 2019 | D | Square D |
| 2018 | C | Square C |
| 2017 | A | Square A |
| 2016 | T | No X codes used |
| 2015 | T | Plain T (transition year) |
| 2014 | R | |
| 2013 | Q | |
| 2012 | P |
Note: Hermès skips the letters “O” and “X” to avoid confusion with numbers. The letter “I” is also skipped as it resembles “1”.
Using Blind Stamps for Authentication
The blind stamp is one of the most reliable authentication tools when you know what to look for. Here are the key checks:
The Font Test
Hermès uses proprietary fonts for their stamps that are nearly impossible to replicate exactly. The spacing, serif style, and proportions are consistent across all authentic bags from the same era.
✓ Authentic Stamp Characteristics
- • Clean, crisp edges
- • Consistent depth (not too deep)
- • Even pressure across the letter
- • Correct font for the era
- • Proper spacing between marks
✗ Counterfeit Warning Signs
- • Blurry or smudged edges
- • Too deep (machine-pressed)
- • Uneven pressure
- • Wrong font for claimed year
- • Chemical burn marks
Common Counterfeit Mistakes
The “X” Mistake
Hermès has never used the letter “X” in date codes. If you see an “X” stamp, the bag is counterfeit—no exceptions.
Future Dating
Some counterfeiters use letters that don't exist yet. If you see a stamp code that's not in our chart and the bag is supposedly recent, it's fake.
Wrong Era Placement
A bag claiming to be from the 1990s shouldn't have a modern alphanumeric code. Era-appropriate coding is essential.
Need Help Dating Your Hermès?
Our authentication team can verify your bag's age and authenticity. We provide detailed reports accepted by all major resale platforms.