Everything You Need to Know About Chanel Serial Codes

Hidden inside every Chanel bag, you'll find a number that tells a story. These codes, found on a sticker or metal plate, aren't random digits, they're part of the brand's way to track authenticity and production year.

What Are Serial Codes?

A serial code (sometimes called a date code) is a unique number Chanel began placing inside its bags beginning in the mid-1980s. It’s usually printed on a small label inside the bag and, until recently, matched the number on a corresponding authenticity card. 

These numbers don’t tell you the exact day a bag was made. Instead they indicate a general production era, helping collectors and buyers estimate age and cross-reference with known Chanel design releases.

Unlike some brands that use simple date codes, Chanel’s system assigns a unique sequence of numbers to each bag. This helps the brand monitor inventory and makes it easier for buyers and sellers to reference age and authenticity when evaluating a piece on the secondary market.

How the Numbers Work 

Originally, Chanel used 7-digit codes on bags made before 2005. As production grew and codes expanded, the brand shifted to 8-digit sequences, generally from the mid-2000s onward. The early digits in these sequences are often used to estimate when the bag was manufactured.

Fashion insiders often refer to these prefixes as “series,” where the first one or two numbers correspond to a general time frame.

The Newest Authentication Method: Microchips (2021-Present)

In 2021, Chanel introduced a major change: instead of a paper sticker with a serial number, newer bags now include an embedded NFC microchip inside a metal plate.

Reading Serial Numbers to Estimate a Production Year

Here’s a simplified way to use a serial number to estimate when a Chanel bag was made:

How to Use This Guide

Think of the serial number as one clue, not the conclusion.
A correct production range should always align with:

-Hardware style and engraving

-Leather texture and quilting pattern

-Interior construction and stamping

-Overall craftsmanship expected from the era

When all of these elements tell the same story, confidence in authenticity becomes much stronger.