Hermès Date Stamp Guide
The complete reference: 1945 – presentModern Era (No shape)
Collector's Note
In 2015, Hermès abandoned the shape system entirely. Stamps are now plain blind letters, often stamped on the interior left side panel rather than the strap. The sequence is no longer strictly alphabetical; letters are assigned non-sequentially.
2026
G
2025
K
2024
W
2023
B
2022
U
2021
Z
2020
Y
2019
D
2018
C
2017
A
2016
X
2015
T
Square Era (1997–2014)
2014
R
2013
Q
2012
P
2011
O
2010
N
2009
M
2008
L
2007
K
2006
J
2005
I
2004
H
2003
G
2002
F
2001
E
2000
D
1999
C
1998
B
1997
A
The 2014 transition
Towards the end of 2014, Hermès began transitioning to the modern blind-stamp format. While the standard for 2014 was R inside a square, some late-2014 pieces show a plain R without a shape, an early adoption of the post-2015 system.
Circle Era (1971–1996)
1996
Z
1995
Y
1994
X
1993
W
1992
V
1991
U
1990
T
1989
S
1988
R
1987
Q
1986
P
1985
O
1984
N
1983
M
1982
L
1981
K
1980
J
1979
I
1978
H
1977
G
1976
F
1975
E
1974
D
1973
C
1972
B
1971
A
Vintage Era (1945–1970)
1970
Z
1969
Y
1968
X
1967
W
1966
V
1965
U
1964
T
1963
S
1962
R
1961
Q
1960
P
1959
O
1958
N
1957
M
1956
L
1955
K
1954
J
1953
I
1952
H
1951
G
1950
F
1949
E
1948
D
1947
C
1946
B
1945
A
Special and exotic symbols
Horseshoe (HSS / Special Order)
Indicates a Special Order custom-made for a client. Often features bi-color or tri-color leather combinations, non-standard hardware, or unusual size configurations.
Shooting Star
Indicates a bag made for a Hermès craftsperson as a personal gift. Technically not for resale, and among the rarest stamps encountered in the secondary market.
Caret – Porosus Crocodile
Crocodylus Porosus. The finest and most expensive exotic skin. Harvested from the Indo-Pacific saltwater crocodile; distinguished by its symmetrical, fine-grained scales.
Two Dots – Niloticus Crocodile
Crocodylus Niloticus. Nile crocodile. The skin used for the Himalayan Birkin and Kelly. Slightly larger scale pattern than Porosus.
Square – Alligator
Alligator Mississippiensis. American alligator. Most commonly found in matte finish. The umbilical pattern is the key visual differentiator from crocodile.
Dash – Lizard
Varanus Niloticus. A small dash adjacent to the Hermès stamp indicates lizard skin. Most often seen on Ombré Lizard pieces and small leather goods.