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.
Early 1990 to 2006 Date Codes: Two Letters with Four Digits – The first and third numbers represent the month, and the second and fourth numbers represent the year.
2007 to Present Day: Two Letters with Four Digits (Number System was Revised) – The second and fourth numbers represent the year. The letters continued to represent the specific factory where the item was manufactured.
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: 2 letters 4 numbers (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, TJ, TR, TS, VI, V.I., VX
Germany– LP, OL
Italy – BA, BO, BC, CE, FA, FO, LE, MA, NQ, 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, FL, LA, OS, SD
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)
Factory Abbreviations and Materials
A2 (France) Mono Canvas, Epi
AA (France) Mono Canvas, Vernis, Damier Ebene
AH (France) Empriente
AR (France) Mono Canvas, CB, Damier Canvas, Epi, LV Cup, Suhali
AS (France) Suhali, Epi, Vernis, Mini Lin
AX (France) Mono Canvas
BA (France) Mat Mono, Vernis, CB, Damier Ebene, Mono Canvas, Damier Azur
BJ (France) Mat Mono, Epi, Vernis
BU (France) Mono Canvas
CA (Spain) Mono Canvas, CB, Epi, Mini Mono, Vernis, MC, Damier Canvas, Mat Mono, Damier Azur, Suhali, Glace, Groom
CB (?) Mono Ambre
CE (Italy) Vernis, Damier Sauvage
CR (Spain) Damier Canvas
CT (France) Mono Canvas, Cerises, Mono Groom, Damier Canvas
DR (France) Vernis, Damier Canvas
DU (France) Mono Canvas, Mono Mirage, Damier Canvas
ET (France) Mono Canvas
FC (USA) Mono Canvas
FA (Switzerland, Italy) Monte Carlo Loafer, Damier Azur ballerinas
FH (USA) Mono Canvas
FL (France, USA – rare, lining replacement?) Mono Canvas, MC, Damier Canvas, Mono Denim, Epi, Vernis, Damier Azur Canvas
FO (Italy) Damier Lune,Paris
GI (Spain) Mono Canvas, Damier Ebene
IT (France) Epi
JA (France) Patent sandal from 2009 RTW
KU (?) Taiga desk set
LA (USA) Monogram
LM (Spain) Mat Mono, Vernis, Damier Canvas, Suhali
LW (Spain) Vernis
MA (Italy) Balmoral Heels
MB (France) Mono Canvas, Damier Canvas, Damier Azur, Mono Charms, Mono Motard, Idylle
MI (France) Mono Canvas, Mini Mono, Vernis, Mat Mono, Damier Canvas, Epi, Damier Azur, Mono Dentelle, MC, Damier Centenaire, Mono Perfo, Cerises
MS (France)
NQ (Italy) 2007 heels
PL (Italy) Motard Minaudiere
RA (France) Mono Canvas, Damier Canvas
RC (Italy) Mono Denim, Nimbus
RI (France) Vernis, Tobago
SA (Italy & France) Mono Canvas, Damier Azur
SD (USA & France) Mono Canvas, MC, Damier Canvas, Damier Azur
SF (France) Mono Canvas, Damier Ebene Canvas
SL (France) Mono Canvas, MC
SN (France) MC Wish Bracelet, Mini Mono Wish Bracelet, Vernis Wish Bracelet
SP (France) Mono Canvas, Mini Mono, Damier Canvas, Epi, Mono Denim, MC, Cerises, Damier Azur, Mono Perfo, Mirage, Mini Lin
SR (France) Mono Canvas, Mini Mono, MC, Mono Satin, Epi, Vernis
TA (France) Mono Canvas
TD (Italy) loafers
TH (France) CB, MC, Vernis, Mat Mono, Suhali, Damier Canvas, Mono Canvas, Damier Azur, Mono Mini, Epi, Mono Leopard
TJ (France) Mono Canvas, Damier Canvas
TN (France) Mahina
TS (France) Vernis
TR (France) Vernis, Monogram Canvas
VI (France) Mono Canvas, Mini Mono, Vernis, Damier Canvas, Epi, Mono Denim, MC, Damier Azur
VX (?) Mono garment bag born in April 1988FC, FH, LA, OS, SD, FL
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
Louis Vuitton Materials and Colors
Vernis color list:
Beige: Introduced in 1998, Discontinued in 2005
Baby Blue: Introduced in 1998, Discontinued in 2000
Orange: Limited Edition, Introduced & Discontinued in 1998
Baby Pink: Introduced in 1999, Discontinued in 2000
Red: Introduced in 1999, Discontinued in 2006
Lime/Light Yellow: Introduced in 1999, Discontinued in 2000
Purple: Introduced in 1999, Discontinued in 2000
Silver: Introduced in 1999, Discontinued in 2000
Bronze: Introduced in 2000, Discontinued in 2006
Mango/Dark Yellow: Introduced in 2000, Discontinued in 2001
Fuschia: Introduced in 2003, Discontinued in 2005
Lavender: Introduced in 2003, Discontinued in 2005
Marshmallow: Introduced in 2004, Discontinued 2005
Peppermint: Introduced in 2004, Discontinued in 2005
Perle: Introduced in 2005
Framboise: Introduced in 2005, Discontinued in 2006
Indigo: Introduced in 2005, Discontinued in 2006
Noisette: Introduced in 2005
Amarante: Introduced in 2007
Pomme D’amour: Introduced in 2007
Orange Sunset: Introduced in 2008
Vert Tonic: Introduced in 2008
Violette: Introduced in 2008&
Vert Bronze: Introduced in 2009
Rose Pop: Introduced in 2009
Blue Galactic: Introduced in 2009
Beige: Introduced in 1998, Discontinued in 2005
Rouge Fauviste: Introduced in 2010
Beige: Introduced in 1998, Discontinued in 2005
Vert Impression: Introduced in 2010
Orange: Limited Edition, Introduced & Discontinued in 1998
Gris Art Deco: Introduced in 2010
Baby Pink: Introduced in 1999, Discontinued in 2000
Rose Florentine: Introduced in 2010
Red: Introduced in 1999, Discontinued in 2006
Givre: Introduced in 2011
Lime/Light Yellow: Introduced in 1999, Discontinued in 2000
Blanc Corail: Introduced in 2011
Purple: Introduced in 1999, Discontinued in 2000
Bleu Infini: Introduced in 2011
Silver: Introduced in 1999, Discontinued in 2000
Terre D’Ombre: Introduced in 2011
Bronze: Introduced in 2000, Discontinued in 2006
Bleu Lagon: Introduced in 2012
Mango/Dark Yellow: Introduced in 2000, Discontinued in 2001
Rouge Grenadine: Introduced in 2012
Fuschia: Introduced in 2003, Discontinued in 2005
Jaune Passion: Introduced in 2012
Lavender: Introduced in 2003, Discontinued in 2005
Beige Poudre: Introduced in 2012
Marshmallow: Introduced in 2004, Discontinued 2005
Rose Velours: Introduced in 2013
Peppermint: Introduced in 2004, Discontinued in 2005
Indian Rose: Introduced in 2013
Perle: Introduced in 2005
Rose Angelique: Introduced in 2013
Framboise: Introduced in 2005, Discontinued in 2006
Black Magnetique: Introduced in 2013
Indigo: Introduced in 2005, Discontinued in 2006
Grand Blue: Introduced in 2013
Noisette: Introduced in 2005
Citrine: Introduced in 2014
Amarante: Introduced in 2007
Lilas: Introduced in 2014
Pomme D’amour: Introduced in 2007
Amethyste: Introduced in 2014
Orange Sunset: Introduced in 2008
Dune: Introduced in 2014
Vert Tonic: Introduced in 2008
GaletViolette: Introduced in 2008
CeriseVert Bronze: Introduced in 2009
GriotteRose Pop: Introduced in 2009
Rose LitchiBlue Galactic: Introduced in 2009
Vernis Color Guide:
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
The RealReal – Generic Louis Vuitton monogram authentication guide with video
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