It goes with out saying that Chanel’s Basic Flap Bag is one among trend’s most iconic kinds. Quickly after Karl Lagerfeld joined the label within the mid-1980’s, the purse made its debut. Designed with the fashionable lady in thoughts, the Basic Flap featured a extra recognizable “CC” turn-lock closure and leather-based woven straps. Its recognition was practically instantaneous, however together with the celebrity got here counterfeiting considerations.
In try and restrict counterfeits, Chanel first started manufacturing purses and equipment with serial quantity stickers in 1986. Used as a benchmark of authenticity, these serial numbers are hooked up to the interiors of Chanel items and point out when a bit was manufactured. Every of those numbers is exclusive to the bag wherein it is discovered, and no quantity is repeated.
NOTE: Serial numbers will match the authenticity card, nonetheless they won’t be able to help you decide the model/mannequin of the bag. These serial numbers are distinctive to their merchandise and the cardboard.
When Chanel started utilizing serial stickers, they started issuing authenticity playing cards, that includes corresponding serial numbers. These playing cards have had slight adjustments all through the years however have all the time been a black plastic card with white textual content and gold borders. Beneath we’ve supplied an examples of a serial quantity sticker with its corresponding authenticity card.

Though Chanel luggage made between 1986 and current day are manufactured with serial quantity stickers and authenticity playing cards, stickers might be broken or eliminated and playing cards might be misplaced. If a Chanel purse is lacking these options, it doesn’t all the time denote the piece as a counterfeit.
The earliest of serial numbers had been printed on white stickers that includes refined interlocking “CC” logos. Every of those serial numbers function 7 digits printed on a cutout positioned the left facet of the white sticker, whereas an opaque movie encompasses the sticker. An instance from a classic bag, produced within the late 1980’s or early 1990’s, is pictured beneath. The serial quantity is printed on the cutout portion of the sticker and is a 1 sequence, indicating that the purse was made in between 1989 and 1991.
By the Nineties, Chanel’s serial quantity stickers began to evolve with rather more distinguishable interlocking “CC” logos printed all through the stickers. The serial quantity situated on the bag beneath options darkened interlocking CCs with an opaque movie on the sticker.
The early 5 sequence sticker signifies this bag was manufactured between 1997-1999.
Beginning close to the tip of 5 sequence items, Chanel has continued their anti-counterfeiting efforts by including extra options to their serial quantity stickers. The numbers are nonetheless printed onto a white sticker, however the sticker is now fully coated with a transparent tape that includes gold and blue glitter all through. These serial numbers are printed on two-layered holographic stickers. The underside layer is printed with the serial quantity and incised with an X, making it unimaginable to take away with out destroying the sticker. They function a grey line working vertically down the left margin and a line of repeating “CHANEL” with a really small “CC” emblem working vertically down the appropriate margin.
Beneath we’ve included examples of luggage starting from 6 sequence to 26 sequence.
The 6 sequence sticker above signifies the bag was manufactured between 2000-2002.
The 9 sequence sticker above signifies the bag was manufactured between 2004-2005, whereas the 14 sequence bag was manufactured in 2011.
The 26 sequence sticker above signifies the bag was manufactured in 2019.
Extra data to think about about Chanel serial numbers embody:
Beneath, we’ve supplied a chart with the Chanel serial quantity format and their corresponding years of manufacturing. If you’re curious in regards to the manufacturing 12 months of your Chanel piece, use the next chart that will help you uncover the 12 months.
NOTE: Serial numbers from 0 sequence to 9 sequence included 7 digits, whereas serial numbers 10 sequence to current day embody 8 digits.

As of April 2021, Chanel has made an attention-grabbing new twist in becoming a member of the efforts to eradicate counterfeiting. Very similar to Louis Vuitton’s change to the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) microchips and eliminating date codes, Chanel has put an finish to the necessity for authenticity playing cards and the serial quantity sticker. Starting with purses, their purses will now embody a plaque that matches the colour of the {hardware} with a CC and a seven letter and digit mixture etched into it. Small leather-based items will proceed to incorporate the authenticity card.
This new system is applied to discourage the elimination of the serial because the elimination of the plaque will injury the bag. With a plaque, this additionally eliminates the lack of authenticity playing cards permitting Chanel to have details about the buy.
Remember to take a look at our different blogs about widespread Chanel supplies and clear your Chanel bag!

***Couture USA solely authenticates objects that you just wish to promote or consign with us.
There are a number of firms that do supply authentication companies. Mypoupette, CarolDiva, and Authenticate4U are all respected authentication firms who could be glad to overview your merchandise for a small price. ***
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Up to date July 2021