Louis Vuitton Date Code or Serial Numbers?
LOUIS VUITTON SERIES
The Basics: A Guide to Louis Vuitton
This blog provides a comprehensive guide on how to find and interpret the date codes on Louis Vuitton bags and Louis Vuitton wallets. Whether you're new to vintage bags or simply curious about the history of your piece, this guide covers everything you need to know to get started.
Understanding the date code Louis Vuitton uses is important for anyone interested in vintage or pre-loved luxury handbags because it provides valuable insights into the bag's origin and production date. Knowing how to read these codes helps buyers and collectors verify the history of their Louis Vuitton pieces, adding confidence to their purchase. While date codes alone don't guarantee authenticity, they are a key piece of the puzzle when combined with other authentication methods. Additionally, understanding these codes helps enthusiasts appreciate the craftsmanship and heritage behind each bag, making their luxury investment more meaningful and informed.
Changes to Louis Vuitton Date Stamps Over Time
The code on your Louis Vuitton (LV) bag is not a serial number, but instead a date code. Since the early 1980s, Louis Vuitton have included date stamps on the interior of their handbags. Louis Vuitton date codes can indicate the factory location and date of production. Whilst many Louis Vuitton bags are made in France, other manufacturing locations include the USA, Italy and Germany.
1980s:
In the 1980s Louis Vuitton introduced date codes. These codes consisted of three or four numbers. The first two numbers represented the year and the last number(s) represent the month of production.
e.g. 821 = January 1982 | e.g. 8211 = November 1982
Towards the mid to end of 1980s Louis Vuitton begun releasing factory codes with letters in too. These were longer - with 3 to 4 numbers followed by two letters. Similar to above, the numbers presented the month and year, with the letters representing the factory location.
e.g. 821SA = January 1982, France | e.g. 8211BC = November 1982, Italy
Other factory codes for Italy include BC, BO, CE, FN, FO, MA, NZ, OB, PL, RC, RE, SA, TD
Read our blog on for more information about the meaning of the letters on your authentic Louis Vuitton Bag.
1990-2006:
Date codes during this period were comprised of two letters followed by four numbers. The two letters were factory codes representing the factory location, the first and third number represented the month, and the second and fourth numbers represented the year. Confusing, right?
e.g. TH0095 = France, September 2005
Other examples of LV date codes from this era include th tn tr ts.
From 2007 to 2021
More recently, the date codes on Louis Vuitton handbags typically consist of two letters and four numbers. The letters represent the manufacturing location, whilst the first and third numbers represent the week of the year, whilst the second and forth numbers represent the year of production.
e.g. SL1059 = France, 15th week of 2009
Other factory codes from this period include sl sn sp sr.
From 2021:
Since 2021, Louis Vuitton have removed physical date codes from many of their bags and have replaced these with microchips. Microchips store detailed product information for authentication. The primary aim of this was to tackle counterfeits – as these microchips are invisible to the naked eye and can only be identified by scanning them in an official Louis Vuitton store.
Examples of Louis Vuitton Date Codes & Their Meaning
The location of date codes may vary depending on the model. For example, Keepall bags typically have date codes near the handle, whereas Neverfull bags feature date codes inside the zip pocket.
In general, date codes are usually found in the following places:
Inner Tab on Pocket of Lining:
On some models, the date code may be date code stamped on a leather tab inside an interior pocket, while others use interior tags instead of a more obvious tab.
Underside of Attachment:
On some bags, the code is placed on a riveted leather tab underneath the attachment point.
Interior Leather Lining:
On some models, the code may appear on a leather tab sewn into the lining or near a loose interior pocket.
Edges of Patent Leather:
Particularly with Louis Vuitton bags made from patent leather, for example Louis Vuitton's Vernis Wiltshire bags, the date codes can be very hard to locate and/or read as they are commonly located on the interior patent leather and hidden in the natural folds and edges of the bag.
Authenticating Louis Vuitton
Authentic date codes should be cleanly and evenly embossed. However, a Louis Vuitton date code alone cannot be used to authenticate a Louis Vuitton item - they are not unique to each piece. This is why the authentication process should not rely on the code alone, especially when checking for counterfeit items.
Whilst most vintage Louis Vuitton bags feature date codes, general wear and tear over time can cause the linings in older bags to age so date stamps become hard to read or disappear altogether. This is not uncommon and is not an indicator of authenticity.
Summary
The date codes on Louis Vuitton bags have evolved overtime, from originally being just numbers to being a combination of both numbers and letters. Because of this, several bags may have the same date code as each other and this is totally normal.
Whilst Louis Vuitton date codes should not be used as a method of authentication alone (especially for pre-owned Louis Vuitton bags), they can support efforts to authenticate Louis Vuitton and are only one part of checking luxury items, while also helping determine the background and origin of your beloved Louis Vuitton purchase.
We guarantee the authenticity of all Louis Vuitton products on Vintimié. All our pieces come with an authentication certificate from Entrupy.
Other related blogs: Understanding Louis Vuitton Factory Location Codes (on Louis Vuitton bags)