Confused by Hermès Stamps? You’re Not Alone.
If you’ve ever searched for Hermès stamps online, you’re probably more confused than when you started.
Some articles talk about the front stamp. Others mention the blind stamp, date stamp, artisan marks or symbol stamps. To make things even more confusing, collectors often use the word “stamp” to describe completely different markings inside and outside an Hermès bag.
The truth is simple: these are not the same thing.
This guide explains the differences and helps you understand exactly which Hermès stamp you are looking at.
Quick Comparison of Hermès Stamps
| Stamp Type | Purpose | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Front Stamp | Brand signature and exterior embossing | Front of the bag |
| Blind Stamp / Date Stamp | Production year identification | Interior panel or strap |
| Stamp Symbols | Special orders and exotic leather identification | Next to the blind stamp |
| Artisan & Workshop Marks | Internal production identification | Near the blind stamp |
Here’s the Difference Between Front Stamps, Blind Stamps and Symbol Stamps
Hermès Front Stamp Guide
The Hermès Front Stamp is the iconic exterior logo that reads:
HERMÈS PARIS MADE IN FRANCE
This stamp is located on the front of the bag, directly beneath the flap and above the hardware plate (pontet). On Kelly and Birkin bags, it is one of the first details your eye notices when looking at the front of the bag.
The stamp is embossed into the leather and, depending on the model and year of production, is usually finished in gold or silver foil to match the bag’s hardware.
Unlike the blind stamp hidden inside the bag, the front stamp is fully visible from the exterior and serves as Hermès’ signature branding.
The appearance of the front stamp can vary slightly depending on:
- the leather type;
- the year of production;
- the depth of embossing;
- natural wear over time.
A softer or lighter front stamp does not automatically indicate that a bag is fake. Authentic Hermès bags can display noticeable variations in embossing.
However, the front stamp alone can never authenticate an Hermès bag and should always be evaluated together with all other construction details.
Below are two examples of authentic Hermès front stamps. Although the embossing may vary slightly depending on the leather and production year, both examples represent genuine Hermès front stamps.
Examples of authentic Hermès Front Stamps located beneath the flap and above the hardware plate (pontet) on Kelly and Birkin bags.
Quick Tip: The front stamp should never be used as the sole authentication factor. Genuine Hermès bags may display minor variations in embossing depth, spacing and foil application depending on the leather and year of production.
👉 Read our complete Hermès Front Stamp Guide.
Hermès Blind Stamp Guide
Hermès Blind Stamp Guide
The Hermès Blind Stamp is a small embossed code hidden inside the bag that identifies its approximate year of production.
Collectors often use several different names for the same marking:
- Blind Stamp
- Date Stamp
- Date Code
- Letter Stamp
- Hermès Letter
In most conversations, these terms refer to the same production code.
The word “blind” simply means that the stamp is pressed into the leather without coloured foil, making it much more discreet than the exterior front stamp.
The blind stamp is usually found:
- inside the bag;
- under the flap;
- on the interior panel;
- or on one of the straps, depending on the model and production year.
Its exact location has changed several times throughout Hermès history.
Collector Note: The location and appearance of the blind stamp have evolved over the decades. Variations in position, depth and surrounding shapes are often completely normal and depend on the bag’s production year.
Examples of Hermès Blind Stamps from different production periods. Earlier Hermès bags used letters inside circles or squares, while modern bags feature a standalone letter without a surrounding shape.
| Period | Stamp Format |
|---|---|
| 1971–1996 | Letter inside a circle |
| 1997–2014 | Letter inside a square |
| 2015–today | Standalone let |
👉 Read our complete Hermès Blind Stamp Guide.
If the blind stamp tells you where to look, the date stamp chart tells you how to read it.
Hermès Date Stamp Chart
The Hermès Date Stamp Chart helps collectors estimate the approximate production year of an Hermès bag by matching the blind stamp letter to the correct year.
Over the decades, Hermès has used several different systems:
- 1945–1970: standalone letters;
- 1971–1996: letters inside circles;
- 1997–2014: letters inside squares;
- 2015–today: standalone letters again.
Because the format changed several times throughout Hermès history, identifying the correct production year requires understanding both the letter and its surrounding shape.
Collector Note: The date stamp indicates the approximate production year of the bag but should never be used as the sole method of authentication.
Many collectors use the terms Blind Stamp, Date Stamp, Date Code and Letter interchangeably. In most cases, they refer to the same production code used to estimate the manufacturing year of an Hermès bag.
Collectors Frequently Ask:
- What is the Hermès stamp for 2025?
- What is the Hermès stamp for 2026?
- What year is stamp A in Hermès?
- What year is stamp K in Hermès?
- How do I read a Hermès date stamp?
Looking for the exact year of your Hermès bag? Our complete guide includes every Hermès date stamp from 1945 to today, stamp placement examples and explanations of the different stamp systems used over the decades.
👉 Explore our complete Hermès Date Code, Serial Number & Blind Stamp Guide., including the full Hermès date stamp chart from 1945 to today, stamp locations and year-by-year explanations.
Hermès Stamp Symbols Guide
Certain Hermès bags feature additional symbols next to the blind stamp.
These symbols have specific meanings.
Examples include:
• Horseshoe Stamp (HSS) – Hermès Special Order bags.
• Shooting Star Stamp (Étoile Filante) – rare bags originally created for Hermès artisans.
• Square Stamp – American Alligator.
• Caret Symbol – Porosus Crocodile.
• Double Dot Symbol – Niloticus Crocodile.
• Dash Symbol (—) – Lizard (Varanus Salvator).
Collector Note: Most Hermès bags do not carry any additional symbols at all.
Because collectors often use the terms stamp symbol, front stamp symbol and exotic leather symbol interchangeably, these markings are frequently confused with blind stamps and date codes, even though they serve entirely different purposes.
Most Hermès bags do not carry any additional symbols at all.
👉 Read our complete Hermès Stamp Symbols Guide.
Artisan and Workshop Marks
Small symbols or letters may also appear near the blind stamp.
These are generally internal workshop or artisan identifiers used during production.
Collectors often confuse these marks with date stamps or special symbols, but they serve completely different purposes.
These markings are not intended to authenticate a bag on their own.
Examples of Hermès blind stamps showing additional artisan and workshop marks. These internal production identifiers should not be confused with the date stamp or special symbols such as the Horseshoe or Shooting Star.
Can you authenticate an Hermès bag by the stamp alone?
No.
The front stamp, blind stamp, date code, workshop marks and additional symbols all serve different purposes. None of them can authenticate an Hermès bag on their own.
Professional authentication always considers the bag as a whole.
To learn more, explore our complete guides:
• Hermès Front Stamp Guide
• Hermès Blind Stamp Guide
• Hermès Date Code, Serial Number & Blind Stamp Guide
• Hermès Stamp Symbols Guide
• How to Authenticate an Hermès Bag
• Hermès Hardware Guide: History, Types, Codes & Collector’s Insight
👉 Read our complete guide: How to Authenticate an Hermès Bag.
Why Stamps are Never Enought
A stamp can provide valuable information, but it is only one piece of the puzzle
Authenticating an Hermès bag always requires examining multiple details together. No single stamp, symbol or code can confirm authenticity on its own.
Read:
👉 Why One Authentication Step Is Not Enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Hermès stamps so confusing?
Because collectors often use the word “stamp” to describe several completely different markings, including the front stamp, blind stamp, date stamp, symbol stamps and artisan marks.
Is the blind stamp the same as the date stamp?
Yes. Most collectors use the terms Blind Stamp, Date Stamp and Date Code interchangeably because they all refer to the production code used to identify the approximate year of manufacture.
What is the difference between a front stamp and a blind stamp?
The front stamp is the visible Hermès Paris Made in France logo embossed on the bag. The blind stamp is a separate code used to indicate the production year and internal manufacturing information.
What is the difference between a blind stamp and a stamp symbol?
The blind stamp identifies the approximate production year, while additional symbols such as the Horseshoe or Shooting Star have completely different meanings and appear only on certain bags.
Are artisan marks the same as Hermès stamp symbols?
No. Artisan and workshop marks are internal production identifiers and should not be confused with special symbols such as the Horseshoe Stamp or Shooting Star Stamp.
Do all Hermès bags have additional symbols?
No. Most Hermès bags have no additional symbols at all. The majority of bags display only the front stamp and the blind stamp.
Can I authenticate an Hermès bag using only the stamp?
No. No single stamp, code or symbol can authenticate an Hermès bag on its own. Professional authentication requires examining the leather, stitching, hardware, construction details and overall craftsmanship together.
Why do some Hermès blind stamps contain additional letters or numbers?
Additional letters, numbers or small symbols are usually internal workshop or artisan identifiers used during production. Their exact meanings are not publicly disclosed by Hermès.
Why does my Hermès stamp look faded?
Embossing depth naturally varies depending on the leather, production year and wear. A softer or lighter stamp does not automatically indicate that a bag is fake.
Where can I buy an authentic Hermès bag?
Authentic Hermès bags should be purchased only from trusted specialists with proven authentication expertise. At Bagotica, every Hermès bag undergoes a rigorous multi-step authentication process before being offered for sale.
👉 Explore our authenticated Hermès collection at Bagotica.
Interested in Hermès Home pieces? Read our guide: How to Authenticate Hermès Mosaique au 24 Platinum: 5 Signs to Check.