How to Read CHANEL Serial Code. Official Serial Number Guide.

How to Read CHANEL Serial Code. Official Serial Number Guide.

Chanel Authentication Guide & Serial Codes

 

Ah, the timeless allure of Chanel! Its distinctive style and meticulous craftsmanship have elevated it to a coveted status, making it one of the most frequently counterfeited brands. In light of this, let me guide you through the art and science of authenticating these magnificent handbags.

 

 How to Read CHANEL Serial Code. Official Serial Number Guide.

At MISLUX, we understand your fondness for authentic Chanel pieces and our mission is to ensure that each bag you acquire from us is undeniably genuine. So here’s a comprehensive guideline for authenticating your Chanel bags, based on years of experience and deep understanding of brand specifics.

 

Q: I have a Chanel Timeless Flap Bag and I’m wondering if there’s a way to tell just by looking at the bag when it was made?
A: That’s a great question! While the latest CHANEL bags are highly coveted, they’re one of few brands whose earlier era designs remain classic throughout the ages. For bags like the Timeless Flap that have been in production for many seasons, it’s nice to know exactly when your bag was made, and there is a simple way to tell. Every Chanel bag has a hologram code on a tag located in the interior lining, which should match up with the bag’s authenticity card.

 

 Enter CHANEL Serial Number Below for Verification

Serial No:

 

This number also corresponds to the year or years in which the bag was produced. In the chart below, you can see which series match up to which years.

 

Also, if your Chanel bag still has its original tags, you can see the collection and year indicated by numbers and letters like 04A (Autumn 2004), 10P (Spring 2010), 10C (Cruise 2010), or 00V (for items produced year-round).

1. Serial Numbers/Date Codes

Chanel bags post-2020 come with NFC chips instead of hologram stickers. However, older models employ serial codes akin to social security numbers for identification. For instance:

  • Bags made in 2020 have date codes starting with 30XXXXXX.
  • Those crafted in mid/late 2019 bear the date codes beginning with 27XXXXXX, 28XXXXXX or 29XXXXXX.

 

Now if your Chanel bag comes with an authenticity card, don’t rely on it solely; they can be convincingly faked too. Instead, examine the serial number sticker inside the bag carefully. Authentic stickers feature:

  • A CC logo
  • Markings in an ‘X’ shape cut into tape
  • Iridescent speckles on the tape
  • ‘Chanel’ printed at both top and bottom (counterfeiters often print only on one side)

2. Stitch Quality & Stitch Count

Chanel’s craftsmanship shines through its flawless stitching and high stitch count - typically ten stitches per edge in diamond quilting - ensuring durability and preventing leather puffiness.

3. Hardware Inspection

Examine the back of the CC lock plate; modern pieces feature proprietary six-point star-shaped screws while vintage counterparts use flathead screws. Also ensure consistency between hardware colour (silver/gold) and CHANEL stamping inside.

4. The CC Logo

Observe how the Cs overlap: right over left at top, left over right at bottom - all while being equally wide with flat edges.

5. Quilting Pattern Symmetry

The quilting pattern should align perfectly between flap and rest of bag; misalignment indicates a fake.

6. Zipper

Look out for Lampo, DMC, YKK or Eclair zippers - common types used by Chanel - which should operate smoothly due to superior quality material use.
In April 2021, Chanel introduced microchips embedded within metal plates instead of traditional holograms/date codes/authentication cards—yet another authentication tool provided by this innovative brand!
Remember dear friends; despite these guidelines counterfeiters are industrious fellows who constantly seek ways to replicate authenticity markers so do not rely solely on self-authentication when investing in such high-end luxury items.
That’s where MISLUX comes in! With our team’s expertise bolstered by years spent studying nuances exclusive to designer labels like Chanel, we can assure you absolute authenticity! Our services extend beyond mere sales - we offer consignment services as well as reliable estimates for your beloved bags’ value should you wish to part with them someday!
Luxury shopping should be an enjoyable experience free from worry – let us help make that happen!
 
For bags like the Timeless Flap which are always in production, these numbers are the way to identify when yours was produced. Of course, certain other styles are well-known for being from a particular season’s runway collection. Especially beginning in the 2000s, we start associating bags with seasons as Karl Lagerfeld’s collections got ever more themed. Whether it’s the Paris-Moscou collection, Paris-Bombay, or Paris-Byzance, these iconic pieces are always coveted. Checking the hologram serial number is a great way to determine that these bags are authentic — the leading numbers of the bag’s hologram serial number should correspond to the year of the runway show it was in.
 
Authentic Chanel handbags from the mid 1980s on come with authenticity cards embossed with a serial number (pictured on right). The serial number matches the serial number appearing on a sticker placed somewhere within the handbag’s interior lining. The serial number sticker has Chanel logos and was protected by a clear tape with hologram security feature from approximately 2000-on. The sticker, Chanel logo, and hologram design varied with the manufacturing date (see chart below).

Note that over time, serial number stickers may become detached from handbags. Authentication cards also often become lost. Therefore, Chanel handbags missing these items may still be authentic.
Serial Number
Year Manufactured
Style of Numbers
Style of Serial Number Sticker
Picture of Serial Number Sticker
25XXXXXX
2018-UP
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).
Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on rightright side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
24XXXXXX
2017-2018
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).
Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on rightright side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
23XXXXXX
2017
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).
Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on rightright side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
22XXXXXX
2016-2017
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).
Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on rightright side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
21XXXXXX
2015 to 2016
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).
Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on rightright side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
20XXXXXX
2014 to 2015
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).
Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on rightright side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
19XXXXXX
2014
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).
Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on rightright side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
18XXXXXX
2013 to 2014
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).
Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on rightright side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
17XXXXXX
2012 to 2013
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).
Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on rightright side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
16XXXXXX
2012
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).
Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on rightright side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
15XXXXXX
2011
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).
Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on rightright side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
14XXXXXX
2010 to 2011
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).
Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on rightright side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
13XXXXXX
2009 to 2010
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).
Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on rightright side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
12XXXXXX
2008 to 2009
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).
Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on rightright side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
11XXXXXX
2006 to 2008
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).
Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on rightright side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
10XXXXXX
2005 to 2006
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).
Eight digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on rightright side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
9XXXXXX
2004 to 2005
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).
Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on rightright side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
8XXXXXX
2003 to 2004
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).
Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on rightright side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
7XXXXXX
2002 to 2003
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).
Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on rightright side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
6XXXXXX
2000 to 2002
0's have strikethroughs. 1's have small serifs (feet).
Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on rightright side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
5XXXXXX
1997 to 1999
0's have strikethroughs up to 51XXXXX. 0's have no strikethroughs 
from 52XXXXX to 56XXXXX. 0's have strikethroughs from 57XXXXX on. 1's have small serifs (feet) from 57XXXXX on.
Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker covered with clear tape with two Chanel logos from 57XXXXX on."X" cut-lines prevent sticker from being removed without damage. "CHANEL" appears on rightright side of the sticker. Dark line appears on left side of sticker. Gold speckles appear throughout sticker.
4XXXXXX
1996 to 1997
0's have strikethroughs. 1's are sans-serifs (no feet).
Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker with Chanel logos. Opaque film covers sticker.
3XXXXXX
1994 to 1996
0's have strikethroughs. 1's are sans-serifs (no feet).
Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker with Chanel logos. Opaque film covers sticker. 
2XXXXXX
1991 to 1994
0's have no strikethroughs up to 27XXXXXX. 1's have serifs (feet).
Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker with Chanel logos. Opaque film covers sticker. 
1XXXXXX
1989 to 1991
0's have no strikethroughs. 1's have serifs (feet).
Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker with Chanel logos and left-sided cutout. Opaque film covers sticker. 
0XXXXXX
1986 to 1988
0's have no strikethroughs. 1's have serifs (feet).
Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker with Chanel logos and left-sided cutout. Opaque film covers sticker. Note that early serial numbers (starting with a 1 or 2) did not have a leading "0". Therefore, these were six-digit serial numbers. Also, the sticker was larger than the stickers produced later in the series.
 
 
 
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