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How to spot a fake

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Hardware & Tags

Serial Number / Hologram Sticker

Background:

All authentic Chanel bags made since the early 1980’s have a small sticker with a numbered code somewhere inside the bag.  The Serial number on the hologram sticker will always match the number code on the black authenticity card that the bag came with (more on the card below). 

Counterfeiters have been copying the serial number and card for a long time, so a bag with a matching serial number and card is not enough to prove authenticity.  This guide will familiarize you with the font type, card attributes, and other clues that will help you make the most of the card and the hologram for authenticating.

The hologram serial number sticker is usually, but not always, found in the bottom corner of the inside lining, inside a pocket, or on some newer bags they are on a leather tab.  It is possible that a sticker could have “fallen off” or been removed from older bags. 

The numbered code gives you a general idea when the bag was made.   Each code will have either 7 or 8 digits.  The earliest Chanel bags have 7-digit serial numbers starting with 0, such as 0123456.  As they produced more bags, the number gradually ascends, so that a few years later, the number started with a 1.  Once the number went beyond 9999999, the number became 8 digits long because 10 has two digits..get it? Today, in 2008, they are issuing bags starting with 12.

This information can give you a good way to “test” the seller of a Chanel on eBay.  If you ask them when it was made, and they respond with a date that does not match with the bag’s code, the seller is probably not trustworthy. 

Fake bags are also not likely to have the correct placement, font, and hologram features either.

Placement

Bags with textile lining will typically have the serial number on a small leather tab on the bottom corner of the lining (either on a loose leather tab sewn onto the bag like a flag, or a leather tab sewn fully onto the lining on all four sides).  Non-textile lining bags will have it placed on one of the bottom corners, but affixed right onto the bag, not on a leather tab. 

Font & Hologram Features

The font and the aspects of the Hologram sticker have slight variations in font and style over time.  The information below shows the differences in font and sticker style over time.  Bags with numbers beginning in 1 would be referred to as “1 series”, bags with numbers beginning with 5 would be “5-series” etc. 

Hologram Stickers Through the Ages

Series 1 Numbers have blocky “digital” look 1’s have feet (an underlined base) Opaque “window” over the code; open on the left side and surrounded by a white CC wallpaper pattern The number "1" should have feet.     Series 2 One’s have NO tail ( no underline at the base) Zero’s may or may not have strike-through (see example of one with and one without below) No opaque window, instead, the code is stamped directly on the white tag with the gold cc wallpaper background Some 2 series sticker will sit toward the bottom of the sticker   Series 3 & 4 One’s have NO tail All zero’s have strike-through line in center   Number stamped on white sticker with gold cc "wallpaper" background     Series 5 - "Split Personality" During Series 5, the style changed.  Early 5-Series look like 3 & 4 Series, and later 5 Series look like 6+ Series.  Below is an example of each.                                 Series 6 –Present Zero’s have strike-through line One’s DO have a “foot”   White background with 2 gold CC logo’s above the numbers Thin x mark over entire hologram “Chanel CC Chanel CC Chanel” written sideways down the far right right side of the sticker Solid black/purple line down far left side of sticker Faint gold specs over the entire sticker (difficult to see in many photos) Plastic film-like covering over the hologram sticker   Strike-Through Zero's Gold "X" cross over the white portion of the tag Gold Specks "ChanelChanelChanel" text along right hand side     Dark Purple Line along left hand side Purple line and "ChanelChanel" text not always visible on black backdrop 2 gold round CC logos     Fake Serial Numbers/Holograms The leather tab is too long, the “Chanel CC Chanel” text is above the white sticker, not on the right side where it should be.  The “1”s should have feet for 10-series bags, and the “0’s should have a strike through the middle Only 6 digits - 2 series should have 7 digits                                         Authenticity Cards If you are fortunate enough to see pictures of authenticity cards and any paperwork that came with the bag originally, this can be a great way to detect a fake. Chanel bags should come with a black plastic card with white text and a gold trim.  The card will have the serial number on it, which will match the serial number on the hologram sticker.   Authenticity Cards: Series 1 - 11   Fake Cards There are a few dead giveaways with these authenticity cards. They should NEVER be encased in plastic They should NEVER have a rainbow hue on the gold trim The font must match the font of the examples provided above Authenticity Cards Wrong Font - The "4" is the most obvious example There is a rainbow hue on the right side 1 in a 10-series card should have the underlined feet.   The card should never have a plastic cover Font is a little wide, not as slim as authentic font Font is too fat, no 12 series yet  (2008)  New One from Latest Fake   Dust Bags & Other Packaging   Over time, authentic Chanel bags have come with either a white or black dust bag, with opposing white or black lettering.  Bags from 3 Series to present will be black, and bags from 0 – 3 series will be white.  The bags changed somewhere in the 3 series, so you may see either black or white dust bags for that series. Chanel does have silver/gray dust bags for the Sport line.   0 - 3 Series  -  White Dust Bags - CC logo is above CHANEL lettering   4 Series + - Black bags with no CC above the Chanel lettering FAKE Dust Bags (below) Letters too close together          Letters too thick and close together