How to Authenticate a Chanel Handbag (2024)

FAQs

How do I know my Chanel bag is authentic? ›

Inside every Chanel bag, a brand stamp is embossed directly onto the lining or an attached leather patch. The brand stamp should be the same color as the bag's hardware; a bag with gold hardware should have a gold brand stamp, and a bag with silver hardware should have a silver brand stamp.

You will be able to find the Chanel date code or serial number on an authentication sticker on the inside of the bag, as well as on a separate authentication card. If you are looking for the Chanel authentication sticker, search here: In the interior lining. In the corners (mostly facing up or down)

For those considering purchasing a used Chanel bag, here are the important features to look for in terms of authentication: Date Codes: Chanel started using date codes in 1984. Since then, every bag comes with a sticker containing a serial number as well as a corresponding authenticity card.

For bags, the metal plate is attached to the handbag's interior, whereas for Wallet on Chains, the metal plate can be found inside the zip pocket. The metal plate hardware matches the rest of the bag's hardware and features the classic CC logo engraved with an 8-digit serial code underneath.

In fact, Chanel handbags didn't always have serial numbers or authentication cards, because of the increase of counterfeit handbags and accessories, Chanel implemented serial numbers in 1984.

The stickers have a gray vertical line on the left margin and a line with repeating “CHANEL” and the CC logo running vertically down the right margin. There's also notes to pick up from the numerals. From 2005 to 2020, the serial number consists of eight digits while from 1986 to 2005, there were only seven digits.

Authenticity Cards and Inclusions

In an attempt to stay ahead of the counterfeiters, Chanel began using microchips in 2021, with all the bag's authenticating details digitally embedded inside the bags.

As authentication practices advance and outsmart the counterfeiters, Chanel has upped their game by replacing all stickers and authenticity cards with metal plates, or microchips. Effective since 2021, these plates are now the new designer ID.

The first digits of the Chanel serial number indicate the year of manufacturing, starting from 0 (from 1986 to 1988) to 31 (crafted in 2021). Modern codes have 8 digits, until 2005 there were 7-digit combinations.

Real authentic Chanel buttons

New Chanel buttons do not have stamping on the back. Vintage authentic Chanel buttons have stamping on the back. New Chanel buttons are often copied in China and very similar to the real (new) Chanel buttons. Real Chanel buttons (especially the Vintage) are looking like little jewels.

Is authentic Chanel made in France or Italy? ›

Originally, Chanel bags are only made in France. It expanded to Italy. And today, we even find Chanel bags made in Spain. If you really want 'the best of the best', just buy a Chanel bag made in France.

$30 Basic Authentication

Includes an official Authentic or Counterfeit determination.

You want to know if the bag is the real deal, so what should you do first? If the bag has an authenticity card, skip it. It could very well be fake--there are ways to tell if it's a real Chanel-issued card, but for counterfeiters it is much easier to make a convincing card than the handbag itself.

The eligible brands for Authenticity Guarantee are Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Hermès, Saint Laurent, Celine, Dior, Prada, Fendi, Goyard, Burberry, Chloé , Valentino, Givenchy, Balenciaga, Loewe, Judith Leiber, Salvatore Ferragamo, MCM, Bottega Veneta, Christian Louboutin, Tom Ford and Bvlgari.

These metal chips can be found on the inside of the bag. The Metal chips are a small rectangle (about 1.2 inches wide) in the form of a metal plaque with the classic CC logo and an 8-digit alphanumeric serial code on it. The metal color matches the rest of the bag's hardware.

The date codes, sometimes referred to as authenticity codes or serial codes, on Chanel handbags consist of serial numbers that correspond to time periods during which the bags were manufactured. For example, the most recently manufactured bags have 8-digit serial numbers beginning with “30”.

Although Chanel is founded in 1910, the serial number system was introduced in 1986. The first group of serial number started with 0 and in 7 digits, while nowadays the serial numbers are in 8 digits.

*All standard authentication services have a 24-hour turnaround time. For a shorter wait, a 12-hour expedited service can be added.

HGA Grading Cost

Best Value: $20/card, 60 business days. Popular: $35/card, 30 business days. Very Fast: $50/card, 10 business days (1-20 cards) Fastest: $75/card, 2 business days (1 to 20 cards)

Do fake designer bags have serial numbers? ›

Check to see if your bag has an inside tag with a brand name and a serial number on it (because almost all authentic purses will). The inside tags should be hand-stitched or stamped into the leather. In some cases, designers also include authenticity labels on the outside of the bag.

One of the most sought after metal buttons is any brass picture button from the Victorian era. There are metal buttons from the revolutionary war through the civil war era that were on military uniforms. Many of these have military symbols on them.

Defining the Chanel symbol

The romantic tail of the Chanel logo claims the C's actually sell for Chanel and Capel, symbolizing the love Coco and “Boy” (Chapel) shared through the years. Others say the C's were meant to represent two horse shoes to attract attention to the fashion house.

Ever wondered how Chanel's five emblematic colours of black, white, beige, red and gold came to be chosen?

Fortunately, both brands have stores in Paris, France – and yes, Chanel and Louis Vuitton bags are much cheaper there than they are in the US. That's because of the VAT (Value Added Tax) refund that you can get when you shop in Paris.

For Chanel bags, there are fewer hand-stitched elements. Their iconic diamond quilting is machine stitched and thus should look immaculate.

As of early 2021, Chanel bag prices average at about $3,000-$7,000. Alternative textiles and rarer editions run upwards of $9,000.

The most recognizable authentication companies include Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), James Spence Authentication (JSA), and Autograph Certification Experts (ACE). It's a good idea to go with one of these companies, as you want a recognizable company to authenticate your autograph.

If your item is eligible for eBay Authenticity Guarantee, it will be automatically added to the program, free of charge. There is no opt in or opt out option.

The Authenticity Guarantee service is free for a limited time. As part of the Authenticity Guarantee service promotion, eBay covers the cost of authentication, as well as provides sellers with a free FedEx shipping label to use for sending items to our authentication center.

Are older Chanel bags better quality? ›

In fact, vintage Chanel bags are made of even better quality materials than today. For example, if you're looking for a Chanel bag with gold hardware, look to bags pre-2008. Before the 2008/09 Cruise collection, vintage Chanel bags were made with real 24-karat gold hardware.

How much is a vintage Chanel bag worth? Well, that, of course, depends on the purse, as the prices vary considerably, from $500 to $10,000. If you're interested in a flap purse (not even a classic one but a similar design), a secondhand Chanel purse will cost you at least $2,000.

Chanel bags

The resale value of Chanel bags climbed with its primary market price increases. Up 12 percentage points from 2021, the brand's average value retention is 87%, although several bags exceed 100%.

With the current guarantee, all costs associated with the Authenticity Guarantee are paid by eBay, including the three-day shipping from the facility to you once the process is complete.

No cost to you

eBay covers all costs of the authentication process.

EBay uses independent authenticators to make sure sneakers bought through it's authentication program are legitimate. Using independent checkers helps ensure zero bias towards selling an authentic product.

For 8 digit serial numbers, the year is determined by the first two digits (i.e. 24XXXXXX corresponds to late 2017-early 2018). If your bag has a 7 digit serial number, the year of production is determined by the first digit (i.e. 6XXXXXX corresponds to 2000-2002.)

Used as a benchmark of authenticity, these serial numbers are attached to the interiors of Chanel pieces and indicate when a piece was manufactured. Each of these numbers is unique to the bag in which it's found, and no number is repeated.

Real authentic Chanel buttons

New Chanel buttons do not have stamping on the back. Vintage authentic Chanel buttons have stamping on the back. New Chanel buttons are often copied in China and very similar to the real (new) Chanel buttons.

The date codes, sometimes referred to as authenticity codes or serial codes, on Chanel handbags consist of serial numbers that correspond to time periods during which the bags were manufactured. For example, the most recently manufactured bags have 8-digit serial numbers beginning with “30”.

Do vintage Chanel bags have tags? ›

The company started dating its handbags only in 1984, with a sticker inside a purse. It is, however, possible that a handbag is missing its number as either the sticker has been peeled off and lost, or the item was made before 1984. From 1984 to 1986 the sticker must feature 6 digits.

The way to spot authentic vintage Chanel buttons is often through the stamping on the back. Buttons are frequently replicated and look very similar to the original ones. The counterfeit buttons are often made from a cheaper material, have a more obvious stamping, and will be lighter in weight.

These metal chips can be found on the inside of the bag. The Metal chips are a small rectangle (about 1.2 inches wide) in the form of a metal plaque with the classic CC logo and an 8-digit alphanumeric serial code on it. The metal color matches the rest of the bag's hardware.