How To Authenticate Chanel Bags by Reading the Serial Codes

Chanel Navy Herringbone Flap Bag - Cruise 2014

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Here is the guide to authenticating your Chanel bag by verifying the serial codes that are affixed inside your purse. There will be a clear sticker on top of the serial code that is included inside the bag.  From 2000 up to the present year, the serial code will include two CC logos in circles that appear on top of the code (see picture). The sticker is still covered with a clear tape having a two cross-cut lines in the middle with gold speckles over the clear tape.  On the clear tape, the CHANEL text and CC logo can be seen printed repeatedly on the right side, while a dark line is seen on the left side.  Due to wear and tear older bags may notice the sticker moved or discoloured.

Chanel also has its own style of font for the numbers on the codes, zeroes have a strike-through from left to right, the number 1 usually have small feet or font serifs. The rest of the numbers except for 1 and 4, mostly have flat tops.

Dates Comments
Late 2013 Serial codes start with 18, with 8 digits in total.
2012-2013 Serial codes start with 17, with 8 digits in total.
2012 Serial codes start with 16, with 8 digits in total.
2011 Serial codes start with 15, with 8 digits in total.
2010-2011 Serial codes start with 14, with 8 digits in total.
2009-2010 Serial codes start with 13, with 8 digits in total.
2008-2009 Serial codes start with 12, with 8 digits in total.
2007 – 2008 Serial codes start with 11, with 8 digits in total.
2005 – 2006 Serial codes start with 10, with 8 digits in total
2003 to 2004 Serial codes start with 7, with 7 digits in total
1999 – 2002 Serial codes start with 6, with 7 digits in total
1997 – 1999 Serial codes start with numbers five (5), there are no strike-throughs from 52XXXXX to 56XXXXX. The numbers are printed in a white sticker with diagonal cut lines in the middle. The sticker is covered with a clear tape and gold specks around it.
1996 – 1997 Serial codes starts with the number four (4) with zeroes having strike-throughs printed in a white cloth sticker on top of the patterned CC logo.
1994 – 1996 Serial codes starts with the number three (3), printed in a white cloth sticker placed above the patterned CC logo.
1992 – 1994 Serial codes starts with number two (2) and printed in white patterned CC logo sticker.
1989 – 1991 Serial codes starts with number one (1), with zeroes having a strike-through. Numbers are still printed in a white patterned CC logo sticker.
1986 – 1988 Chanel’s serial codes are composed of seven numbers printed in a white patterned CC logo sticker. Zeroes does not have a strikethrough yet, and the code starts with zero (0).

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