Hermès Blind Stamp Guide: How to Read Date Code Stamp
Last updated: 2026
Introduction
Many Hermès collectors search for a letter inside their bag hoping to identify the production year.
This discreet internal marking is commonly referred to as a Hermès blind stamp, date stamp, or date code.
However, Hermès uses several different types of stamps and markings across its leather goods — and these are often confused with one another.
This Hermès blind stamp guide focuses specifically on the internal date code system used to identify the production year of a Hermès piece.
This should not be confused with the front Hermès heat stamp — the visible “HERMÈS PARIS MADE IN FRANCE” marking found beneath the flap of many bags. Front heat stamps, special symbols, and hardware-related markings belong to a separate category of Hermès details, which we will explore in future articles.
Today, we are focusing specifically on the internal blind stamp system hidden inside Hermès leather goods.
What Is a Hermès Blind Stamp?
A Hermès blind stamp is a discreet internal production marking embossed into the leather during manufacturing.
Collectors often refer to it as:
- a Hermès blind stamp,
- a Hermès date stamp,
- a Hermès letter,
- or a Hermès date code.
The most important information contained in the blind stamp is the production year of the item.
However, the stamp serves a much larger internal purpose inside the Hermès production system.
Alongside the year reference, the stamp also contains internal workshop and production information used by Hermès for manufacturing tracking, artisan identification, repairs, and after-sales servicing.
Much like a discreet artist’s signature, the blind stamp forms part of the maison’s internal production identity system.
Hermès blind stamps are used across many leather goods, including:
- handbags,
- wallets,
- belts,
- and small leather accessories.
Why Hermès Uses Blind Stamps
Hermès is known for its highly controlled artisanal production process.
Unlike mass-produced luxury goods, Hermès bags are traditionally handcrafted by a single artisan from beginning to end.
Production of a Birkin or Kelly bag may take many hours over several weeks, with one artisan responsible for the construction and final quality of the piece.
Many collectors believe that the complete production process of a Hermès bag may extend across approximately 20 to 30 days depending on the complexity of the piece and the workshop schedule.
The blind stamp system helps Hermès internally identify:
- the production year,
- workshop references,
- and manufacturing information connected to the item.
This information also assists Hermès during spa services, repairs, restoration, and long-term product tracking.
Where Hermès Blind Stamps Are Located
Hermès blind stamps are typically placed in discreet interior areas of the bag.
Their location may vary depending on:
- the model,
- the leather,
- and the production year.
Common locations include:
- on the reverse side of the leather strap beneath the flap,
- near the interior pocket of a Kelly bag,
- inside the upper left interior area of the bag,
- or on the back side of the sangles near the strap tip.
How Hermès Date Codes Changed Over Time
Over the decades, Hermès modified the appearance of its date code system.
Understanding these production eras helps collectors identify the approximate age of a piece more accurately.
Plain Letter Era (1945–1970)
Early Hermès pieces used a simple standalone letter without any surrounding shape.
These vintage stamps often appear softer and less sharply embossed due to age and leather wear.
Circle Stamp Era (1971–1996)
From the early 1970s, Hermès introduced letters placed inside a circle.
This became one of the most recognizable vintage Hermès date stamp formats.
Many collectible vintage Birkin and Kelly bags originate from this era.
Square Stamp Era (1997–2014)
Later, Hermès transitioned to letters placed inside a square.
Many highly collectible bags from the late 1990s and early 2000s use this format.
This period also corresponds to some of the most active years of Birkin and Kelly production.
Modern Stamp Era (2015–Present)
Modern Hermès pieces typically returned to letters without surrounding shapes.
These contemporary blind stamps are often more discreet and subtle than older examples.
Modern counterfeit bags frequently attempt to imitate this newer style.
How to Read a Hermès Blind Stamp
Each Hermès production year corresponds to a specific letter.
However, letters alone are not always enough to identify the year correctly because certain letters repeat across different eras.
This is why the surrounding format of the stamp — such as:
- a circle,
- a square,
- or no surrounding shape —
is extremely important.
For example, the same letter may represent different production years depending on the era in which it appears.
Collectors should always evaluate the entire stamp format rather than focusing only on the letter itself.
Hermès Blind Stamp Letters by Recent Year
Many collectors search for the Hermès production year by identifying the letter inside the blind stamp.
Questions such as:
- “Which Hermès letter is 2025?”
- “What is the Hermès letter for 2026?”
- or “How do Hermès stamp letters work?”
are increasingly common in the resale market.
Recent Hermès blind stamp letters include:
- T = 2015
- X = 2016
- A = 2017
- C = 2018
- D = 2019
- Y = 2020
- Z = 2021
- U = 2022
- B = 2023
- W = 2024
- K = 2025
- G = 2026
Because Hermès has reused letters across different production eras, collectors should always evaluate:
- the overall stamp style,
- the placement,
- the production period,
- and the construction details of the bag itself.
The same letter may represent different years depending on the production era in which it appears.
Full Hermès Blind Stamp Chart
For collectors researching vintage Hermès production years, including circle, square, and modern no-shape eras, we have created a complete Hermès date code chart reference.
Explore the Full Hermès Blind Stamp Chart (Italian article with universal visual chart)
Common Counterfeit Stamp Mistakes
Modern counterfeit bags can imitate Hermès blind stamps surprisingly well.
However, inaccurate details often remain visible under close inspection.
Common counterfeit issues include:
- incorrect letter proportions,
- overly deep embossing,
- inconsistent spacing,
- unnatural placement,
- uneven pressure marks,
- and artificial aging.
Many counterfeit blind stamps can appear surprisingly convincing to an untrained eye. For collectors who have never physically compared authentic Hermès stamps across different production years, distinguishing a high-quality counterfeit may be extremely difficult.
Even experienced resellers and authenticators sometimes seek additional independent verification when evaluating rare or particularly sophisticated pieces.
At Bagotica, when necessary, we may also consult internationally recognized Hermès authentication specialists such as Bababebi or use additional third-party authentication methods depending on the brand and the specific item being evaluated.
This is why blind stamps should never be treated as a standalone proof of authenticity.
Conclusion
Hermès blind stamps remain an important tool for understanding the production period and history of a Hermès piece.
However, they represent far more than a simple year code.
They form part of Hermès’ internal production and artisan tracking system — one of the many details that reflects the house’s long tradition of craftsmanship and controlled manufacturing.
At the same time, blind stamps should never be used as the sole method of authentication.
True Hermès authentication requires careful evaluation of the bag as a whole.
Explore the Collection
Explore our curated selection of authenticated Hermès bags — carefully inspected and professionally evaluated in Europe.
Read Next
Start with the essentials:
- How to Tell if a Hermès Birkin is Real: 11 Visible Differences That Actually Matter
- Codice Hermès: come leggere blind stamp e date code
Continue exploring Hermès craftsmanship:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Hermès blind stamp?
A Hermès blind stamp is an internal embossed code used by Hermès to indicate the production year and internal manufacturing references of a bag or leather item.
Where is the Hermès blind stamp located?
Hermès blind stamps are usually hidden inside the bag, often beneath the flap, near interior pockets, or on the reverse side of leather straps depending on the model and production year.
Can a Hermès blind stamp prove authenticity?
No. A blind stamp alone cannot confirm authenticity. Modern counterfeit bags may reproduce convincing stamps, which is why professional authentication always evaluates the entire bag.
What Hermès letter is 2026?
According to current collector references, the Hermès production letter for 2026 is G.
Can a Hermès bag have a different sales year and blind stamp year?
Yes. Hermès blind stamps indicate the production year of the bag — not necessarily the year it was sold.
It is completely normal for a Hermès bag produced late in one year to be sold in boutiques during the following year.
For example, a bag stamped with a 2024 (W) production letter may still be purchased directly from Hermès in early 2025.
This is especially common with highly sought-after models and boutique inventory released across different seasons.