Understanding Hermès Heat Stamps: What They Tell You About Age

When buying or selling a Hermès bag, one of the most common questions is:
“What year is this bag from?”

While Hermès does not publicly release production records, the heat stamp (also known as the date code) inside the bag can help identify its approximate year of production. This guide explains how Hermès heat stamps work and which iconic bags were introduced in each era.

What Is a Hermès Heat Stamp?

A Hermès heat stamp is a small embossed mark found inside the bag, usually on the leather interior or inside a pocket. It typically consists of:

A letter (sometimes inside a shape such as a square or circle)
Occasionally paired with symbols depending on the production period

⚠️ Important note:
Heat stamps indicate production year, not authenticity on their own. Authentication should always consider craftsmanship, stitching, hardware, leather, and overall construction.

Hermès Heat Stamp System by Era

🔹 Before 1971

No letter stamps
Bags were produced without date codes
Dating relies on style, hardware, and craftsmanship details

🔹 1971–1996: Letter Only (No Shape)

A single letter stamped into the leather
Each letter corresponds to a specific year
No surrounding symbol

Example:

A = 1971
Z = 1996

🔹 1997–2014: Letter Inside a Shape

Letter is stamped inside a circle or square
Shape helps identify the production period

General guideline:

Circle stamp → late 1990s
Square stamp → 2000s–early 2010s

🔹 2015–Present: New Stamp Format

Hermès introduced a blind stamp system
Often includes:
- A letter
- A symbol
- Sometimes an artisan or workshop code
Stamp location can vary more than older bags

Popular Hermès Bags & Their Introduction Years

Below is a reference timeline of iconic Hermès bags and when they first appeared. These years indicate original release, not production year of a specific bag.

Classic Icons

Haut à Courroies (HAC) – 1892
Kelly – 1935
Constance – 1959
Plume – 1960
Bolide – 1923

1970s–1990s

Jige Clutch – 1975
Birkin – 1984
Trim – 1958
Garden Party – 1997
Herbag – 1998

2000s

Picotin – 2002
Lindy – 2007
Victoria – 2007
Paris Bombay – 2008
Roulis – 2010

2010s–Present

Egee Clutch – 2009
Halzan – 2014
Cherche-Midi – 2015
Verrou – 2018
Kelly Picnic – 2011
Geta – 2022
In-The-Loop – 2023