When buying a vintage Chanel handbag, ensuring authenticity is essential.
Here at Open for Vintage, we offer an authenticity guarantee on all products, which are sourced from the world’s leading independent pre-owned boutiques. These boutique teams have decades of experience and knowledge in establishing if a bag is genuine or not, however as a customer, we know how important it is to feel complete confidence when shopping. This guide aims to help you to understand and decode a Chanel Serial Number for yourself, enabling you to have as much information about your vintage Chanel bag as possible.
Often, vintage Chanel bags come without their original packaging, authenticity card or proof of purchase, so having confidence in whether the bag is genuine is crucial before purchasing.
In 1986, Chanel started producing serial number stickers for their handbags and accessories in order to limit counterfeits being made and sold. Alongside the serial number stickers, Chanel also started producing authenticity cards that were included with any bag sold, featuring the same serial number embossed on the card as an additional mark of authenticity. The designs of these cards have altered slightly over the years, however all feature black plastic with white text and a gold border. Most serial number stickers are placed directly onto the internal lining of bags. Each serial number is unique to the bag, with no number ever repeated. The numbers indicate the year the bag was made, along with a unique numerical sequence, and can be easily decoded with our simple guide.
The beginning 1-2 numbers of the serial code will let you know what year your bag was manufactured:
|
YEAR MANUFACTURED |
SERIAL NUMBERS |
FEATURES |
|
2020 |
30XXXXXX |
Serial number printed on white sticker, covered with transparent tape, with 2 Chanel logos above the serial number. There’s an “X” cut into the sticker to prevent removal without damage. The transparent tape over the serial number has “CHANEL” printed vertically on the right side and a dark vertical line down the left side. The transparent tape over the serial number is covered in faint iridescent specks of gold. The "0"s have a strike through and the "1"s have small serifs/feet. |
|
2019 |
27XXXXXX or 29XXXXXX or 29XXXXXX |
Same as 2020. |
|
2018-2019 |
26XXXXXX |
Same as 2020. |
|
2018 |
25XXXXXX |
Same as 2020. |
|
2017-2018 |
24XXXXXX |
Same as 2020. |
|
2017 |
23XXXXXX |
Same as 2020. |
|
2016-2017 |
22XXXXXX |
Same as 2020. |
|
2015-2016 |
21XXXXXX |
Same as 2020. |
|
2014-2015 |
20XXXXXX |
Same as 2020. |
|
2014 |
19XXXXXX |
Same as 2020. |
|
2013-2014 |
18XXXXXX |
Same as 2020. |
|
2012-2013 |
17XXXXXX |
Same as 2020. |
|
2012 |
16XXXXXX |
Same as 2020. |
|
2011 |
15XXXXXX |
Same as 2020. |
|
2010-2011 |
14XXXXXX |
Same as 2020. |
|
2009-2010 |
13XXXXXX |
Same as 2020. |
|
2008-2009 |
12XXXXXX |
Same as 2020. |
|
2006-2008 |
11XXXXXX |
Same as 2020. |
|
2005-2006 |
10XXXXXX |
Same as 2020. |
|
2004-2005 |
9XXXXXX |
Same as 2020. |
|
2003-2004 |
8XXXXXX |
Same as 2020. |
|
2002-2003 |
7XXXXXX |
Same as 2020. |
|
2000-2002 |
6XXXXXX |
Same as 2020. |
|
1997-1999 |
5XXXXXX |
Serial number printed on white sticker with numerous Chanel logos. Serial numbers beginning with 57, 58 or 59 may have 2 Chanel logos above serial number. There’s an “X” cut into the sticker to prevent removal without damage. The transparent tape over the serial number has “CHANEL” printed vertically on the right side and a dark vertical line down the left side. The transparent tape over the serial number is covered in faint iridescent specks of gold. Serial numbers beginning with 50, 51, 58 and 59 have a strike through the “0”s. Serial numbers beginning with 52, 53, 54, 55 and 56 have no strike through on the “0”s. Serial numbers beginning with 57, 58 and 59 have small serifs/feet for “1”s. |
|
1996-1997 |
4XXXXXX |
Serial number printed on white sticker with numerous Chanel logos, covered with an opaque film. The “0”s have a strike through and the “1”s are sans-serif style (no feet). |
|
1994-1996 |
3XXXXXX |
Same as 1996-1997. |
|
1991-1994 |
2XXXXXX |
Serial number printed on white sticker with numerous Chanel logos, covered with an opaque film. Serial numbers beginning with 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 have no strike through the “0”s. Serial numbers beginning with 28 and 29 have a strike through the “0”s. The “1”s have small serifs/feet. |
|
1989-1991 |
1XXXXXX |
Serial number printed on white sticker with numerous Chanel logos, covered with an opaque film. The left side of the sticker is indented/cut out. The “0”s have no strike through and the “1”s have small serifs/feet. |
|
1986-1988 |
0XXXXXX |
Same as 1989-1991. Note: The early serial numbers (starting with a 1 or 2) did not have a leading “0”, making them six digit serial numbers. These stickers were also larger than ones later produced. |
Being able to decode and establish the year of production of your vintage Chanel bag will enable you to not only ensure authenticity, but also allow you to compare the value of your bag vs. other vintage bags from the same year – a useful tool if you ever are looking to resell.
As Chanel only introduced this serial number system in 1986, any bags made before that date will require alternative authentication. If you aren’t sure you can confidently authenticate the handbag yourself, it’s worth getting it independently authenticated for peace of mind.
When shopping designer vintage products, you should always ensure authenticity before purchasing. You can read more about our authenticity process and guarantee here, or if you’d like to speak to the team about a specific item, contact us here.
Found this interesting? Why not read our Guide To Authenticating A Vintage Chanel Flap Bag.
Discover our full collection of vintage Chanel handbags.
