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
Complete Hermès Blind Stamp & Date Code Chart (1971-2026)
For collectors researching vintage Hermès production years, including circle, square and modern no-shape eras, the complete visual chart is shown above. You can also explore our Italian reference article below.
Explore the Complete Hermès Date Code and 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.
→Explore Our Hermès Collection
Read Next
- How to Tell if a Hermès Birkin is Real: 11 Visible Differences That Actually Matter
- Codice Hermès: come leggere blind stamp e date code
- Hermès Front Stamp Guide: Placement, Colors & Collector Details
- Hermès Stamp Symbols Guide: What Hermès Symbols Mean
- Confused by Hermès Stamps?
- Hermes Hardware Guide
Continue Your Hermès Education
→ Why Physical Inspection Still Matters in Luxury Authentication
→ What Is Entrupy and How It Protects Buyers
→ Why One Authentication Step Is Not Enough
→ How to Evaluate the Condition of a Luxury Bag Professionally
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Hermès blind stamp?
A Hermès blind stamp is an embossed code pressed directly into the leather that helps identify the bag’s production year and includes internal artisan markings used by Hermès.
What does “blind stamped” mean?
“Blind stamped” means that the mark has been embossed directly into the leather without ink, foil, or additional colour.
Why is it called a blind stamp?
The term refers to an embossing technique that creates an impression in the leather without using colour or metallic foil.
What does a blind stamp look like?
A blind stamp appears as a subtle, colourless impression in the leather that can usually be both seen and felt.
What is blind embossing on leather?
Blind embossing is the process of pressing a design, logo, or code directly into leather without adding colour or metallic foil.
What is a Hermès date stamp?
A Hermès date stamp is the letter system used by Hermès to indicate the year a bag was produced.
What is a Hermès date code?
The terms “date code” and “date stamp” are often used interchangeably and both refer to the production-year code found in the blind stamp.
How do I read a Hermès date stamp?
The first letter of the blind stamp indicates the production year. Depending on the production era, the letter may appear inside a circle, inside a square, or without any surrounding shape.
How do I read a Hermès letter stamp?
The production year is identified by the first letter of the code. The additional letters and numbers are internal manufacturing codes and do not indicate the year.
What year is my Hermès bag from?
You can determine the approximate production year by locating the blind stamp and comparing the first letter with an up-to-date Hermès date chart.
How can I identify the age of my Hermès bag?
The blind stamp is one of the most useful tools for estimating the age and production year of a Hermès bag.
What is a craftsman stamp on a Hermès bag?
In addition to the date letter, Hermès bags may include internal artisan markings used by the Maison to identify the workshop or craftsman responsible for producing the bag.
Where is the Hermès blind stamp located?
The location varies depending on the model and production year. It may be found on an interior leather panel, beneath a strap, or on the exterior arm of the bag.
Where is the Birkin blind stamp?
On Birkin bags, the blind stamp is usually located on an interior leather panel or beneath one of the straps, depending on the year of production.
Do all Hermès bags have a blind stamp?
Yes. Authentic Hermès leather bags include a blind stamp, although the format and placement have evolved over different production periods.
Do all Hermès bags have the same stamp placement?
No. The placement of the blind stamp varies depending on the model, leather, and production year.
What is the Hermès stamp for 2025?
The Hermès production letter for 2025 is K.
What is the Hermès stamp for 2026?
The Hermès production letter for 2026 is Q.