The chart above summarises the best-known Hermès stamp symbols, including the Horseshoe, Shooting Star and exotic leather marks found on selected Hermès bags. Use it as a quick reference guide before exploring each symbol and its meaning in greater detail below.

For many collectors, the Hermès front stamp is more than a simple branding detail.

Certain Hermès bags feature distinctive symbols positioned next to the famous Hermès Paris Made in France stamp. These markings provide valuable information about exotic leathers, special orders and some of the rarest pieces ever produced by the Maison.

In this Hermès Stamp Symbols Guide, we explain the meaning of every known Hermès front stamp symbol, how collectors interpret them and why they matter for authentication and collectability.

If you have ever wondered what the Horseshoe, Square, Double Dots or Shooting Star symbols mean on an Hermès bag, this guide is for you.

What Are Hermès Stamp Symbols?

Hermès stamp symbols are special markings placed next to the Hermès front stamp on selected bags.

Unlike Blind Stamps, which identify production year and workshop information, these symbols indicate specific exotic leathers or special production categories.

Most Hermès bags do not carry additional symbols. They are primarily found on:

• Exotic leather bags
• Hermès Special Orders (HSS)
• Rare artisan pieces
• Limited-production creations

For collectors, understanding Hermès stamp symbols is essential because these markings can immediately reveal important information about a bag’s rarity and construction.

Shooting Star Symbol (Étoile Filante)

Among all Hermès front stamp symbols, the Shooting Star is arguably the rarest.

Known as Étoile Filante, this mark identifies a bag originally created for an Hermès artisan rather than for public retail sale.

Because these pieces were never intended for traditional boutique distribution, they are highly collectible and rarely appear on the secondary market.

Collectors often consider Shooting Star bags some of the most unusual Hermès creations ever produced.

Horseshoe Symbol (HSS)

The Horseshoe symbol is one of the most recognisable Hermès stamp symbols.

It identifies a Hermès Special Order, commonly known as an HSS bag.

Special Order bags are created for selected clients who are invited to customise specific details, including:

• Exterior colour combinations
• Interior colours
• Hardware finishes
• Leather combinations

Because these configurations are often unavailable through the regular collection, HSS bags are especially desirable among experienced collectors.

Exotic Leather Symbols

□ Square Symbol — Alligator Mississippiensis

The Square symbol identifies Alligator Mississippiensis.

This American alligator leather is known for its symmetrical scale pattern, elegant appearance and exceptional rarity.

Many collectors consider alligator one of the most refined exotic skins offered by Hermès.

^ Caret Symbol — Crocodile Porosus

The Caret symbol identifies Crocodile Porosus.

Porosus is often regarded as the most prestigious crocodile leather used by Hermès due to its fine scales and exceptionally luxurious appearance.

Porosus bags frequently command some of the highest prices on the secondary market.

.. Double Dot Symbol — Crocodile Niloticus

The Double Dot symbol identifies Crocodile Niloticus.

Compared with Porosus, Niloticus typically features larger scales and a slightly different texture.

Both matte and shiny Niloticus bags remain highly sought after by collectors worldwide.

– Single Dash Symbol — Varanus Niloticus Lizard

The Single Dash identifies Varanus Niloticus Lizard.

Because lizard skin is delicate and sensitive to environmental conditions, well-preserved examples are increasingly difficult to find.

= Double Dash Symbol — Varanus Salvator Lizard

The Double Dash identifies Varanus Salvator Lizard, also known as Water Monitor Lizard.

Collectors appreciate this leather for its refined appearance and unique scale structure.

Due to the limited availability of lizard skins, these bags are often produced in very small quantities.

Hermès Front Stamp vs Blind Stamp

The Front Stamp:

• Displays Hermès branding
• May include exotic leather symbols
• May include Horseshoe or Shooting Star symbols

The Blind Stamp:

• Identifies production year
• Identifies artisan workshop information
• Is usually hidden inside the bag

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the rarest Hermès stamp symbol?

• The Shooting Star (Étoile Filante) is generally considered the rarest Hermès front stamp symbol because these bags were originally created for Hermès artisans and rarely appear on the secondary market.

What does the Horseshoe stamp mean on an Hermès bag?

• The Horseshoe symbol identifies a Hermès Special Order (HSS) bag created for a selected client. These bags often feature unique colour, leather and hardware combinations unavailable through the standard collection.

What is the difference between a Horseshoe stamp and a Shooting Star stamp?

• The Horseshoe symbol identifies a Hermès Special Order, while the Shooting Star identifies a rare bag originally produced for an Hermès artisan rather than for public sale.

Can a fake Hermès bag have exotic leather symbols?

• Yes. Counterfeiters sometimes reproduce Square, Caret or Double Dot symbols. A front stamp symbol alone can never authenticate an Hermès bag.

How do you spot a fake Hermès stamp?

• A fake Hermès stamp often shows incorrect font proportions, inconsistent spacing, poor embossing depth or symbols that do not match the leather and hardware. However, the front stamp alone can never authenticate a bag.

Why does my Hermès front stamp look faded?

• Certain leathers and years of production naturally produce a softer or lighter embossing. A faded stamp does not automatically mean that a bag is fake.

Can Hermès stamp symbols fade over time?

• Yes. The front stamp may soften slightly with age and use, especially on softer leathers such as Swift or Box Calf. This is usually normal and should be evaluated together with the overall condition of the bag.

Do all Hermès bags have a stamp symbol?

• No. Most Hermès bags do not feature additional symbols. Standard leathers such as Togo, Clemence, Epsom and Swift typically display only the traditional Hermès Paris Made in France stamp.

Can a Hermès bag be authentic without a stamp symbol?

• Absolutely. Most authentic Hermès bags do not carry additional symbols. The absence of a symbol is entirely normal and does not indicate that a bag is fake.

Can I check Hermès authenticity online using only the front stamp?

• No. Professional authentication requires examining many details beyond the front stamp, including leather, stitching, hardware, blind stamps and overall craftsmanship.

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 is carefully curated and undergoes a rigorous multi-step authentication process before being offered for sale.

Explore Authentic Hermès Bags at Bagotica →

Continue Your Hermès Authentication Journey

→ Hermès Front Stamp Guide
→ Hermès Blind Stamp Guide
→ Hermès Date Code Guide: How to Read Date Codes
→ Hermès Hardware Guide: History, Types, Codes & Collector’s Insight
→ How to Authenticate a Hermès Bag: 11 Expert Checks
→ Why One Authentication Step Is Never Enough
→ Why We Reject More Bags Than We Accept
→ Manual Inspection vs AI Authentication: Why Both MatterAuthentication Journey

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