I’ve updated this page to include all the information from the best guides out there to make it much more easier for you to authenticate on the go. I’ll cover Date Codes and how to read them, Manufacturing Codes (what the mean and were they are located) materials, photos and more. As I find relevant information, I will continue to add to this page.
Early 1980s and Before: No Date Codes – Louis Vuitton did not use date codes before the early 1980s
Early to Mid 1980s Date Codes: Three or Four Digits – The first two numbers indicate the year, and the last one or two numbers indicate the month.
Mid to Late 1980s Date Codes: Three or Four Digits with Two Letters – The first two numbers indicate the year, and the last one or two numbers indicate the month.
1990s: 2 letters 4 numbers (TH 1920) = December 1990 – TH is the factory location while the 1st and 3rd numbers are the month and the 2nd and 4th are the year of production
2007 to Present Day: Two Letters with Four Digits (Number System was Revised(TH 3077) = 37th week of 2007) – TH is the factory location while the 1st and 3rd numbers are the week and the 2nd and 4th are the year of production
French Company – No date code – Tyvek tag
Saks Fifth Avenue No date code – Saks Fifth Avenue stamp
Fabric Design – No date code – stamp
Deciphering 1980’s Date Codes
3 numbers (821) = January 1982 (3rd number is the month, 1st two numbers are the year)
4 numbers (8312) = December 1983 (Last two numbers are the year, first two are the month)
2 letters 3 numbers (TH 863) = France March 1986 (First two letters are the factory code, last number is the month and first two are the year)
3 numbers 2 letters (864 TH) = April 1986 France ( Last number is the month, first two numbers are the year and the two letters are the factory code)
2 letters 4 numbers (SP 8811) = France November 1988
(First two letters are the factory code, first two numbers are the year and last two numbers are the month)
4 numbers 2 letters (8910 AA) = October 1989 France
(First two numbers are the year, second two numbers are the month and the two letters are the factory code)
Louis Vuitton Factories
France – A0, A1, A2, AA, AAS (SO), AH, AN, AR, AS, AX, BA, BJ, BU, DR, DU, DT, CO, CT, CV, CX, ET, FL, GR, IT, LW, MB, MI, MS, NO, RA, RE (also Italy) RI, SA (also Italy) SD, (also USA) SF, SL, SN, SP, SR, TA, TH (also , TJ, TR, TS, TY, VI, V.I., VM, VX
Germany– LP, OL
Italy – BA, BO, BC , CE, FA, FH (also USA) FO, LE, MA, NQ, NZ, OB, PL, RE, RC, RO, SA (also France), ST, TD
Spain – BC, CA, CR, GI, LB, LM, LO, LW
Switzerland – DI, FA (also Italy)
USA – FC, FH (also Italy) , FL, LA, OS, SD, TX
Restoration & Date Codes
If an item has been restored by Louis Vuitton, it will be issued a new serial number. If you find an item with conflicting date codes, this could be why (date code for an item made in France but interior logo states Made In Spain)
Date Code Notes
BA – Mostly France but there have been some LE pieces made in Spain
CA – Mostly Spain but there have been some Vernis made in France in 1999
FC – USA bags made in 1980’s
LA – USA bags which are largely discontinued (have appeared on Boulogne 30, Montsouris Moyen, Papillon 26, Speedy 30, Pochette Orsay)
SD – France bags prior to ~1995 until opening of San Dimas when SD became USA
Date Codes Seen On Special Order Items
AAS 11339 (France) SO Epi item
AAS 12655 (France) SO Epi item
DU… (France) SO Damier Looping
AAS… (France) Mono wallet
Date Codes Seen On Re-Lined Items
DK… (USA)
DK 1047 (France)
DK 4077 (France)
DK 2907 (France)
DK 1068
Date Codes Seen On Accessories
DT 0120 (France) Bolt Key Ring 2010
CX 0132 bag charm
DR 0112 chain
*SO = Special Order
Online Guides
Yoogis Closet – Great guide to show the different colors of materials.
Jill’s Consignment – Easy to read Louis Vuitton handbag authentication guide
Spot Fake Handbags – Basic Louis Vuitton handbag authentication guide
Authentication Files – In depth Louis Vuitton generic handbag authentication, 5 guides total
Guide 1 – Monogram Patterns
Guide 2 – Monogram
Guide 3 – Logo Heat Stamp
Guide 4 – Date and Country Code
Guide 5 – Shapes and Stitching
Yoogis Closet – Louis Vuitton authentication guide with date codes
Lollipuff – Louis Vuitton handbag authentication guide – great photos
Wondermika – In depth Louis Vuitton handbag authentication guided
Sunglasses
Authentication Files – Louis Vuitton sunglasses authentication guide
Belts
Authentication Files – Louis Vuitton Damier belt authentication guide
