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Since the mid-1980s, Chanel has included a serial number in each bag encoded according to the date the bag was issued. Deciphering these numbers and codes is essential to authenticating Chanel bags made before April 2021, when Chanel started using microchips. Therefore, previously-loved Chanel bag authentication often relies on serial numbers and date codes. Let’s look at how to tell if a Chanel bag is real by examining the code.

At Chanel, the term 2.55 refers to all flap-style bags that have all chain straps and the mademoiselle lock, while term Classic flap commonly refers to the flap with the the leather interwoven chain and interlocking CC closure.

Chanel is known for increasing their prices multiple times a year, so it is likely we’ll see Chanel prices on the resale market increase significantly! So now is the time to buy your dream Chanel bag. A Chanel bag is always a good idea!

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Seven digit serial number printed on white sticker with Chanel logos and left-sided cutout. Opaque film covers sticker. 

Authentic bags have a seven or eight-digit code corresponding to the production era ; any divergence, such as a nine-digit code, is indicative of fake bags.

A true serial number sticker should not reflect a rainbow hologram which would indicate that it's a non-authentic card.

Take a close look at the font and quality of how to authenticate a Chanel bag the lettering in the stamp reading Chanel. Fake Chanel bags and super fakes often have blurred stamps that are not crisp and clear, and the font is taller and thinner than on genuine Chanel.

Coco had an affinity for horses, stable style and polo player Arthur Edward Capel – this affinity is reflected in many of her pieces.

But the savvy shopper not only seeks to avoid counterfeits but also desires the ultimate Chanel shopping experience, which includes access to the latest designs, professional advice from knowledgeable staff, and a luxurious retail environment.

While Chanel bags in pristine condition often command a premium over retail, Sotheby’s offers a curated selection of these bags in a variety of the most sought-after colors and sizes through our marketplace. By shopping with Sotheby’s, you can purchase a store-fresh Chanel bag without the need to visit a physical store. While Chanel boutiques offer these coveted designs, their inventory is often limited, making it challenging to find a specific color, style, or size.

It used to be as simple as asking, “does the bag come with an authenticity card?” However, really good fakes, or “super fakes”, come with their own fake but very convincing authenticity cards.