KNOWLEDGE

Chanel 101:
Serial Codes

By Koyaana R. July 29, 2020

Within the luxe lining of each Chanel bag is a series of numbers

printed on a tag or sticker to help prevent counterfeiting of the highly coveted bags since 1986. While these numbers represent a solution to the larger issue of authenticity, they remain a factor in identifying the age of each Chanel bag.

What Is A Chanel Serial Code?

Unlike Louis Vuitton bags, which include a date code inside of their products, Chanel’s numbers are actual serial codes. Though it is an in-house system that only a few are privy to, namely employees, the serial number printed on each bag is specific to the bag itself. This allows the brand to keep a close eye on pieces sold across various platforms to prevent counterfeit pieces from circulating within the resale market.

Decoding Chanel

There are a few things to note when it comes to serial codes. Numbers initially had seven digits before the codes required the use of a ten to start, at which point they became eight-digit numbers. There is a zero series, this was the first round of codes added to Chanel bags for the first two years. Serial codes are often referred to as “series” based on the first one to two digits (depending on seven or eight-digit numbers).

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