Louis Vuitton, authenticity and date codes

 

All authentic Louis Vuitton handbags Since the beginning of the 1980 ‘s have date codes. Date codes are a series of numbers and letters that represent the date the bag was made and the factory where it was manufactured. These date codes are all typeface specific, meaning that they are made in a font specific to Louis Vuitton. The best way to see the difference between a real date code and a fake date code is to check the font. This requires a lot of experience. Although the font “looks right” on a bag, there are other distinct features like material on the lining, and seams that don’t match the original.

 

 

Early 1980:

Three digits, the first two digits represent the year of manufacture, and the last number represents the month. For example, the date code for a bag produced in May 1982 would be read “825”

 

 

Early to late 1980:

Three digits followed by two letters. The first two digits indicate the year and the last digit indicates the month. The two letters indicate the factory where the bag was manufactured. So a bag made in France in May 1989 would have a date code with the letters of the French factory (see the Factory Code chart) and the Numbers “895” (two letters for the factory follow this number). A bag from the 1980 ‘s can also have a date code of four digits followed by two letters.

In this case, the first two digits are the year, and the last two digits are the month of the year. For example, a date code such as 8901 V.I. means that the bag was manufactured in January (01) 1989.

 

 

1990 – 2006:

Two letters followed by four digits. The letters represent the factory, the first and third numbers represent the month, and the second and fourth numbers represent the year. So a bag made in France in December 2004 would have a date code that looks like this DU1024.

 

 

2007 and later:

Two letters followed by four digits. The letters indicate the factory. The first and third digits indicate the week of the year and the second and fourth digits show years. So a bag made in U.S.A. Week 20 2010 would have a date code at FL2100.

 

 

If a feed has been replaced on a bag, there will be no date code. On some bags, especially older with leather lining in cross structure, the date code can be difficult to see and read. On bags with lining in Alcantara, the date codes can also be difficult to see, but it will be there